Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said it was a "magnificent feeling" as he clinched his first La Liga title as manager of the club where he won eight as a player, ending a four-year drought for the Catalan giants.

Barcelona were last champions of Spain in the 2018-19 season when they had greats Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez spearheading their attack.

Yet as the club fell into a deep financial crisis, both had to leave and the team's fortunes declined.

Yet Xavi has guided them back to the summit less than two years after he returned to the club to replace Ronald Koeman in November 2021 and he said wrapping up the title was crucial for their future.

"We are left with a magnificent feeling, more than 10 months of work, of sacrifice. It has been an extraordinary job," Xavi told Movistar Plus.

"For the fans, for the club, winning it was vital for the stability of the project, we must continue on this path.

"This League means that we are doing things very well, this gives us stability, although we still have the unfinished business of European competition."

Pitch invasion

Barcelona players celebrating title success had to leave in a hurry after Espanyol fans invaded the pitch and started running toward them.

A large group of Espanyol supporters from the ultra section behind one of the goals jumped onto the field and headed for the players who were celebrating in the centre.

“It was a moment of euphoria, but we were not in our home and I felt it was more respectful if we went back into the locker room,” Xavi said.