Despite falling via penalties to Tunisia in a friendly with Catalunya, Xavi was upbeat as to Barcelona's chances this season, although the midfielder acknowledges that Real Madrid will be tough to defeat.
The Clasico left the Blaugrana frustrated, and the former player from Terrassa shared the sentiment.
"Real Madrid never stop believing," Xavi said. "Historically, they are a club who have won it all, and will keep on winning because they are a great club. They are always going to put Barcelona under pressure.
"They were insisting and pushing until the end - it was a fair result."
Xavi's criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or exploits are well documented, but his admiration for Lionel Messi is so great that he insists losing out to him in 2010 doesn't bother him in the slightest.
"In 2010, Messi deserved the Ballon d'Or, it's not even close," he said. "For me, he is the best footballer on the planet and in history.
"To be on the podium with him and Andres Iniesta was historic and something I'd never imagined."
As for Luis Enrique's future, Xavi points out that the constant pressure takes its toll, as it did during Pep Guardiola and his time at the club as well.
"Luis Enrique enjoys himself, but he also suffers - that is part of the job of coaching Barcelona," he concluded. "It is normal that a club like Barcelona can wear a coach down."