Xavi has reiterated his admiration for Ousmane Dembele's professionalism as the Barcelona boss confirmed negotiations over a new contract for the winger were under way.
Dembele was told publicly to leave Barca by the club during the January transfer window, after contract talks broke down.
The France international's current deal runs out at the end of the season, meaning he will be able to leave Camp Nou on a free transfer.
However, with no move having materialised before the end of January, Dembele has been reintegrated into Xavi's squad and seems to have rediscovered his form.
Dembele has started Barca's last four LaLiga matches, providing five assists across those appearances.
The 24-year-old also scored and teed up two other goals as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Athletic Bilbao at the end of February.
On Tuesday, with Barca's squad given a day off ahead of travelling to Germany for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, Dembele was spotted going to the club's training ground, with reports stating that he did extra physical work.
"He's an example in the way he trains, the way he plays, his attitude and commitment," Xavi told a news conference when asked about Dembele.
"I don't know how he was before but I've got no complaints. I see a very happy, very motivated player and with his winning attitude.
"He's happy and comfortable here and so that's not a surprise that he trained on his day off. He's a great professional, I said that when he wasn't playing as well."
Dembele created seven chances in Barca's win over Sevilla on Sunday, also providing the pass for Pedri's goal in a 1-0 victory.
Earlier this week, Barca executive Mateu Alemany reportedly met with Dembele's agent to restart negotiations over a new deal, and this speculation was confirmed by Xavi.
"It is a negotiation. We are also in talks with Ronald [Araujo], Gavi, Sergi Roberto, it is a process," he said.
"The club knows my priorities and we are working. Hopefully Dembele can stay, with work he can be the best in his position.
"The club is working hard and I hope they decide to stay. Gavi, Araujo, Dembele... if we can have them next year we'll be a better team and squad."
Xavi was equally as effusive in his praise for Araujo, who he revealed has agreed to fresh terms.
"For us he is a guarantee and Barcelona have a central defender for ten years or more," Xavi said.
"There are few central defenders in the world like him. He has been the key in the negotiation. He is very humble, direct, he is a luxury.
"I am delighted. As a person he is a hard worker. Barcelona fans can be proud that he has decided to stay at Barcelona."
Toronto FC v Austin FC: Herdman urges for discipline to mount playoff run
FC head coach John Herdman insists his team need to maintain their discipline if they want a playoff run in MLS, starting against Austin FC on Saturday.
Toronto currently sit eighth in the Eastern Conference but are four points behind Orlando City.
They have struggled to get going since being knocked out of the Leagues Cup in the group stage, winning just one of three games since returning to MLS action.
After a disappointing 3-1 defeat to D.C. United last time out, Herdman says they need to learn how to keep their high level of performance going to the very end of games.
"In a playoff run, you have to be disciplined in the last 30 minutes of games, whether it's decision-making to change and adapt with players coming in and changing positions, or the team allowing itself to get stretched," Herdman said.
"We struggled with that against D.C. If you're going to push for a genuine playoff run, you have to respect that defending part of the game, you cannot allow yourself to get stretched."
Meanwhile, Austin are 11th in the Western Conference, having followed up a win over Nashville SC with a 1-0 defeat to Vancouver Whitecaps.
With the end of the regular season coming closer, Josh Wolff acknowledged his players know just how important it is for them to get points on the board.
"Every game is critical, home and away. In both conferences, you can see the playoff line, and it's all relevant," Wolff said.
"We, like many teams, have to make the most of these opportunities. You have to start the game in a good way and go there with the intention of getting three points because the home team have their own intentions."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Toronto FC – Deandre Kerr
Deandre Kerr scored his 10th regular-season goal for Toronto in the loss to D.C. United on August 31.
At 21 years old, Kerr is the second player to reach double-figure goals for the Reds before turning 22, along with Ayo Akinola (13 goals).
Austin FC – Julio Cascante
Austin failed to register a shot on target in their 1-0 loss to Vancouver on August 31, the fourth time this season the Verde have not hit the target in a match.
Julio Cascante came off the bench and had one of Austin's six shots, with his effort having the highest expected goal rate of 0.35.
MATCH PREDICTION: AUSTIN FC WIN
The only previous meeting between Toronto and Austin was a 1-0 home win for the Verde in May 2023. Gyasi Zardes scored the game's only goal in second-half stoppage time.
Austin earned a 2-0 win at Nashville in their last away match on August 24. Austin last won consecutive away matches during a four-match road winning streak in June-July 2022.
Meanwhile, Toronto have lost five of their last six home matches (W1), including a 3-1 loss to D.C. United on August 31. Toronto have lost 13 regular-season home matches since July 2023 (W7), more than any other team in that time.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Toronto FC – 34.6%
Draw – 25.9%
Austin FC – 39.5%
New USA coach Pochettino aims for World Cup glory as countdown to 2026 begins
New United States boss Mauricio Pochettino has outlined his ambition to win the World Cup with the co-hosts in two years' time and is excited by the opportunity.
Pochettino was named the manager of the USA on Tuesday in his first role since parting company with Chelsea in May.
The Argentine, who previously enjoyed a successful five-year spell in charge of Tottenham, leading them to a Champions League final, oversaw a sixth-placed Premier League finish in his only season at Stamford Bridge.
And with the USA acting as hosts alongside Canada and Mexico for football's most prestigious tournament in 2026, Pochettino believes his players should harbour ambitions of winning the entire event.
"We need to believe in big things that we can win, not only a game but the World Cup," Pochettino said.
"If we don’t, the journey will be difficult. We have to think big. That is the only way to put your talent in the service of the team. It is a massive challenge."
The USA women's team won the World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and claimed Olympic gold this summer in Emma Hayes' first tournament as manager.
Pochettino, who knows Hayes from the period in which they both managed Chelsea's senior teams, reserved special praise for her, while also wanting his players to be inspired by how successful the women's team had become in recent times.
"In Emma, we have the best coach in the world," said Pochettino.
"The women's team has won everything. We need to match them. They need to be our inspiration, not only with results but in the way they create the philosophy to defend the country, the badge and the culture.
"We want to create something special."
Pochettino's first game in charge will be a friendly versus Panama at the Q2 Stadium in Austin on October 12.
Sane set for Bayern return after surgery, says Kompany
Leroy Sane is available for Bayern Munich's game at Holstein Kiel after missing their opening two matches following a groin operation.
Sane featured in all five games for Germany at Euro 2024 before undergoing surgery in July, and also returns in time for the start of Bayern's Champions League campaign at home to Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.
"We have a lot of players, and we need all of them. Aside from the long-term injuries, all the players are fit," Kompany told reporters.
"We've got a week with three matches coming up, and we're looking forward to it. Leroy will also be in the squad."
Sane also struggled with injuries towards the end of last season, making just one appearance in Bayern's final seven league games, having scored eight goals in their opening nine matches.
"He had a really good first half of last season and was involved in a lot of goals," Bayern's sporting director Christoph Freund said.
"In the early part of this year, he had constant battles with injuries and pain, but he battled on and played through it.
"The nice thing now is that he's pain-free. We're glad he's back and properly fit."
Bayern face promoted side Kiel, who are in the Bundesliga for the first time, on Saturday, and Kompany knows what it is like to take a side up from the second tier after his time in England with Burnley.
"I experienced it myself last year. We completely dominated in the second division with Burnley, and then we got promoted to a different league and struggled," Kompany said.
"But you do all the work for exactly these games and I imagine that Kiel are looking forward to it.
"They're flexible and good on the ball. They were dominant last season and even though they've been promoted, that's stayed in the team."
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