Former Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi has urged Al Sadd team-mate Xavi to extend his playing career, promising the Spain great: I will run for you.
Gabi, 35, moved to the Qatar Stars League club in July and has enjoyed a winning start to life in Qatar, featuring in Al Sadd s 10-1 rout of Al Arabi and a 6-0 away victory at Al Kharitiyath alongside Xavi.
The ex-Barcelona star is entering his fourth season at Al Sadd and said he is aiming to play on for six months depending on his fitness, but Gabi hopes the 38-year-old will continue into the new year.
Until December, he will not leave, but I tell him to extend his career until summer, Gabi told AS, saying he urged the 2010 World Cup-winner: Do not run, I will run for you. And do not get tired.
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Gabi s move to Qatar brought to an end a seven-year spell at Atletico – his second at the club – that yielded the LaLiga title, the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de Espana and the UEFA Super Cup, as well as two Europa Leagues.
He said Xavi played a key role in persuading him to leave Spain as he enters the latter stages of his career.
He [Xavi] got my number from Fernando [Torres], Gabi explained. Two, three days later, he called me.
He told me that his boss had seen the Lyon final [Atleti s Europa League victory over Marseille]. He said: You have to come here, to Al Sadd .
Gabi admitted he took some persuading to leave the Wanda Metropolitano, where he hopes one day to return in some capacity.
Asked how he sees himself fitting into the club s future, he replied: To help, to have responsibility.
If I do not find that position where I believe I can do it, I will not return.
