Xavi Hernandez had no issue with Dani Alves’ controversial opinion on Erling Haaland’s worth, saying he would forgive his former Barcelona team-mate for anything.
Alves, 38, has returned to Barca as a veteran player under Xavi, appearing with the coach of the most successful Blaugrana teams earlier this century.
Xavi is happy to be working with his former team-mate, but Barca are focused on signing aspiring players at the end of the season.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Haaland has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou, although Barça are the only one in favor of a striker whose contract reportedly covers a release fee of 75 million euros.
However, Alves defender Kylian Mbappe – who is expected to join rivals Real Madrid – is “a more complete player than Haaland in every aspect of the game”.
“I will not do anything crazy about Haaland,” the Brazilian defender told Sport. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have spent a lot of money on him.”
On the other hand, Alves’ boss, Barca, may have spoken ill of the 21-year-old – but that doesn’t mean Xavi is worried about his player’s comments.
“I forgive Dan for everything, whatever he says,” the Barca manager told a press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Levante. “he is absolutely amazing.
“Sometimes you complain that you do not have the headlines, do you? After all, it is difficult for Dan to choose just one. He is amazing.
“The truth is that his signing has been very successful for us, he is a natural leader. It is a spectacle for us and for you.”
In Haaland, Xavi added: “We will see. Yes, we are planning for next year, but let’s see. The situation is not easy, especially financially, economically.”
Whether Barca can afford the kind of numbers needed for both to sign and pay for Haaland remains to be seen, but Xavi is confident he has the club’s support.
“[The team] knows the things that are important to me,” he said. “From here on out, whatever we can do, we will do, but it is true that we have to be very careful and cautious because the economic situation is such a state.”
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