Beating Mourinho 'extra motivation' for Barca's Xavi

MADRID (AFP) –

Barcelona’s midfielder Xavi Hernandez celebrates after scoring in Paris on April 2, 2013. Xavi has admitted that beating Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has been an extra motivating factor for his side over the past three years.

Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has admitted that beating Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has been an extra motivating factor for his side over the past three years.

Mourinho’s exit from the Bernabeu at the end of the season was confirmed on Monday after a turbulent final season in which he clashed with a number of senior players and failed to win a major trophy.

“He is a controversial coach,” Spanish international Xavi said.

“He has always been an extra motivation. I don’t know if we will miss him or not.

“With Mourinho we have continued to win titles. In the three years he has been here he has taken the odd title away from us, but we have kept winning. This has to continue being our objective.”

And despite Mourinho’s relative success in winning the title last season and reaching three consecutive Champions League semi-finals, Xavi does not believe his departure will unduly influence Madrid next season.

“We are going to see what happens without Mourinho, but I am convinced that Madrid will continue winning titles with Mourinho or without Mourinho.”

Meanwhile, Xavi was also asked about Brazilian international Neymar’s potential arrival at Barca in time for next season.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a move to the Catalan capital for some time and with Barca representatives now in Brazil to close the deal it seems only a matter of time before he joins the Spanish champions.

“Neymar is a great player and he is said to be one of the world’s stars. At the moment they are all rumours but he is a great player and I am sure he would adapt.”