"I want to end my career at Barcelona" - Cesc Fabregas

Cesc Fabregas says he wants to end his career at Barcelona despite previously announcing that he was 'unhappy' with his role at the club.

The former Arsenal captain rejoined his boyhood club last summer for £35million but remains second-choice at the heart of Barca's midfield behind Nou Camp legends Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta.

Fabregas got a rare start in Barca's narrow victory over Valencia on Sunday but was hauled off after only 63 minutes, which prompted him to say: 'There's no such thing as a great substitute in the world of football.

'I always wish my team-mates well and put a happy face on. If I have to take my unhappy face home then so be it, but I would never let my team-mates or manager see it.'

Fabregas's unhappiness was revealed just days after Cristiano Ronaldo had revealed he too was feeling 'sad' for 'professional reasons' at Barca's great rivals, Real Madrid.

But Fabregas, 25, has moved to defuse his own situation, insisting he has no desire to quit the Catalan giants.

'This whole situation is exaggerated,' he told Catalunya Radio. 'I am happy. I am at the club I wanted to be at for many years. Currently I am very calm.

'I’m doing my job and working as anyone else to make life difficult for my coach (to leave me out).

'I want to retire at the Camp Nou.'

Fabregas also said he was taking encouragement from the man currently blocking his path to the Barcelona team - playmaker supreme Xavi.