I am not Xavi's replacement, says new Barca recruit Arda

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Barcelona's new midfield playmaker Arda Turan has no intention of trying to fill the boots of club legend Xavi following the decorated Spaniard's departure for Qatar at the end of last season.

I am not Xavi's replacement, says new Barca recruit Arda

(Reuters)





Turkey captain Arda joined Barca this week after four seasons at Atletico Madrid, although as things stand the 28-year-old will be unable to play in official matches until January because of a FIFA ban on registering players.

"I am here to give my best and help the team, not to replace Xavi, who is irreplaceable," Arda said at his presentation news conference on Friday.

"He is a unique figure not only at Barcelona but as an icon of world football," he added.

"I can play better or worse but I always try to do my best. My life has always been about fighting and I want to win everything.

"I am in the best team, the best stadium, and I am going to play with the best players.

"I am coming here to enjoy that and to try to show the world the best of Arda."

When the ban ends, Arda will face stiff competition to win a place in coach Luis Enrique's team, who won a treble of Champions League and Spanish league and Cup titles last term.

Arda is a similar player to captain Andres Iniesta, while Barca's other midfielders include Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets and promising youngsters Rafinha and Sergi Roberto.

Arda told reporters he was not planning to go out on loan for the rest of the year following reports he might join former club Galatasaray in his native Turkey.

"What is important to me is to adapt to Barca's playing style as quickly as possible," Arda said.

"As soon as I signed my contract and pulled on the shirt, I started to get nervous and I wanted to start playing. I hope these six months pass quickly."

Barca have International Champions Cup games against Los Angeles Galaxy, Manchester United, Chelsea and Fiorentina before they meet Europa League winners Sevilla in the European Super Cup on Aug. 11.

They will begin their bid for a sixth La Liga in eight years the weekend of Aug. 22-23.





(Reporting by Iain Rogers; Editing by John O'Brien)


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world