Xavi Hernandez: Aubameyang, 4 Other African Stars Who Played Under the Spaniard at Barcelona

• Xavi Hernandez has been sacked by Barcelona as the Catalans set to appoint a new manager
• The World Cup winner won the La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup titles in the 2022-23 season
• Sports Brief outlines five African stars who played under the Spanish tactician at Barcelona

Barcelona have decided to part ways with Xavi Hernandez despite the Spanish coach reversing his initial decision to leave the Catalans at the end of the season.

The former Al Sadd coach agreed to continue as Barcelona coach for the 2024-25 season, but the club president, Joan Laporta, decided to sack him on Friday, May 24.

Sports Brief looks at African stars who played under Xavi at Barcelona as he leaves the club at the end of the season.

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5 Africans who played under Xavi at Barcelona

1. Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang

Xavi signed the Gabonese international during the 2022 winter transfer window after Arsenal terminated his contract.

The former AC Milan striker made 24 appearances that season under the Spanish coach, scoring 13 goals in all competitions, according to forblaugrana.

He eventually left the club for Chelsea after they signed Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich in 2022.

2. Abde Ezzalzouli

The Moroccan international was one of the youngsters Xavi introduced to the first team when he was named Barcelona's coach in 2021.

The former Osasuna star made over 10 appearances under the World Cup winner before joining Real Betis this season.

3. Franck Kessie

The AFCON 2023 winner was one of the players Xavi signed for free in the 2022 summer. He joined the La Liga giants on a free transfer from AC Milan.

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Kessie was used mainly as a substitute under the Spanish gaffer and scored a 92nd-minute winner for Barcelona in their 2-1 win over bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, which eventually sealed their league triumph.

The strike against Los Blancos was his only goal for Barcelona in La Liga, and he has three in 43 appearances in all competitions.

4. Chadi Riad

The Moroccan defender was an undisputed starter for Rafael Márquez's Barcelona B-side in the 2022-23 season but made his first team debut under Xavi against Osasuna at the El Sadar Stadium.

5. Mikayil Faye

The Senegalese youngster has yet to make an official debut for Barcelona but has been featured under Xavi in friendly games.

He was a second-half substitute in Barcelona's 3-2 loss to Club America in December last year.

Barcelona sack Xavi

Sports Brief recently reported on Barcelona sacking Xavi. The club released a statement on Friday, saying that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has told Xavi he will not continue as coach for the 2024-25 season.

Sunday's game against Sevilla will be the last time he will coach the Catalans.