Xavi claims Barca players didn't give their all before his leaving announcement

Xavi has suggested that his Barcelona players were not giving 100 per cent when he announced his intention to step down in January.

The Barca boss had said he would step down at the end of the season, describing the top job at his beloved club as 'cruel' and 'unpleasant' following a 5-3 capitulation to Villarreal.

An 11-game unbeaten run followed and Xavi feels energised to at least see out his contract until the end of next season.

'We try to be demanding with them. It is the history of this club. My decision to announce goodbye was meant to do so. Maybe they could have given more,' he said.

'So it was. I think that both at Montjuïc and at the Bernabeu we deserved much more [against PSG and Real Madrid].

'I’m very good, I explained it the other day in a natural way. In January I felt responsible for the bad results and I thought the best thing was to step aside.

'But then I saw the confidence of the president, of Deco, of the club and in particular of the footballers, which is fundamental.

That confidence saw Barcelona become a surprise package in the Champions League, even taking a 3-2 aggregate lead in the quarter-finals against PSG.

A collapse on home turf in the second leg saw them lose 4-1 and crash out, before losing 3-2 at Real Madrid on April 21 to effectively crush their slim LaLiga title hopes.

However, there is little doubt that Barcelona are playing better football and look a more united team.

Robert Lewandowski has improved markedly - after the 5-3 Villarreal defeat which was the nadir of the season, he had scored eight goals in 19 LaLiga games. His tally since? Eight in 11.

He also scored in both legs of the Champions League last 16 against Napoli, having only netted once in the group stages.

Having already lost