Barcelona president Joan Laporta says he's accepted Xavi's resignation.

Xavi announced he will leave at the end of the season after Saturday's 5-3 home defeat to Villarreal.

“Xavi has told us that at the end of the season he will leave," said Laporta. "It's a formula I accept because it's Xavi, and he is a Barcelona legend. He has proposed it to me, he is an honest person. He acts with a lot of dignity and is a person who esteems Barcelona.

“La Liga is difficult, but it's not lost. We have to compete until the end and see what happens. We have to give our all to try to win the Champions League.

"We have the tie against Napoli, we will take it step by step. The work of everyone, the coach, the players, will come with great commitment. I think we can finish the season well."