PARIS (AFP)
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez on Saturday
admitted that big-spending Paris Saint-Germain will be a major
contender in this season's Champions League ahead of the clubs'
friendly meeting here Saturday.
"PSG are a very good side, they have signed some top level
players like Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic to add to the
good players that were already there," said Xavi, who has only
just started pre-season training after helping Spain to glory at
Euro 2012.
"They are another candidate for the Champions League. They have
set themselves the objective of winning the Champions League in
the short to medium term and they have the financial means."
It is the French capital club's signing of Sweden star
Ibrahimovic that has really sent shockwaves through the
continent's other leading clubs, and Xavi knows all about the
threat posed by 'Ibra', who played for the Catalans in 2009-10.
"He is a great signing," said the 32-year-old. "He performed
fantastically for us and he is a top level player.
"He can bring a lot to them, and is the signing they needed to go
on and win the French title."
Ibrahimovic left the Camp Nou for AC Milan under a cloud two
years ago after a reported falling-out with coach Pep Guardiola,
but Xavi defended the Swede's record with Barca.
"I don't think he had a disappointing season. We won La Liga and
got to the semi-finals of the Champions League, he scored
important goals and we had a good understanding with him on the
pitch and in the dressing room," Xavi said.
"He only stayed one year but he didn't leave behind a bad image."
