Xavi: Pep Guardiola stopped me joining Bayern Munich

The Spanish midfielder is currently plying his trade in the Qatari league for Al-Sadd after rejecting the German champions during the off-season in 2014, instead opting to spend one more year with his beloved Barcelona – a decision that proved successful as the Liga giants won the treble.

The 35-year-old has revealed that he had a similar chance to move to Germany back in 2008, when he was at his peak as a 28-year-old having just helped the Spanish national team to 2008 success.

However, Xavi claims that Guardiola was on the other end of the phone during the conversation and was able to persuade him to stay in Catalunya.

"After Euro 2008, I got the feeling that Barcelona were ready to sell me," the World Cup winner told Marca.

"Real Madrid were winning things and we weren't and I went to the national team knowing that the club would be open to selling me if a good offer came in.

"I spoke with my agent, Ivan Corretja, and he told me there was an offer from Bayern. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge wanted me.

"But then Pep Guardiola became the new coach at Barcelona and I played a great Euro 2008. Pep told me that I was not going anywhere and explained how he could not imagine a Barcelona without me. I was captivated by what he said."