Xavi Hernandez has retired from professional football after playing his final game for Al Sadd on Monday evening. The legendary playmaker has called time on a 21-year career, in which he spent 17 seasons with Barcelona. And he won it all in Spain. Xavi is an eight-time La Liga champion, he also captained Barca to three Copa del Rey wins and four Champions League titles. It wasn't just at club level that the midfielder found success either.

Spain dominated the international game while Xavi was in his prime, and he retires with two European Championships and a World Cup winners medal. 

He's one of the most decorated footballers in the modern game and it's now time for the 39-year-old to step back from the pitch. 

But he probably won't be going very far. 

Xavi has made clear his intention to go into coaching and according to Spanish publication AS, he's expected to spend the next few days in Madrid finishing a UEFAPro coaching course. 

Unsurprisingly, he's hinted at a return to Barca in the near future. 

"One day I'll go back to Barcelona. I now need to learn how to drive a car before I can put myself behind the wheel of a Ferrari," he said last weekend. 

Xavi laced up his boots for the final time on Monday, featuring for Qatari club Al Sadd in their Asian Champions League game against Iranian side Persepolis. 

His side lost 2-0, but Xavi was honoured both before and after the match at the Azadi Stadium in Iran. 

In the tweet below, Al Sadd also paid tribute, writing:

"The Iranian club honors legend Xavi Hernandez leader of the leader in his last match as a player in the game of the two teams in the sixth round of the Asian Champions League."

Throughout his career, Xavi was widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders to grace the beautiful game.

So 1005 games, 123 goals and 32 trophies later, there's only one thing left to say...

Adios, Maestro.