Xavi Hernandez - a legend of world football, a Spanish player who became one of the most influential and technically gifted players of his generation. He was born on January 25, 1980, in Terrassa, Spain, and displayed his football talent from a young age. Xavi became renowned for his outstanding passing skills and ball control. He possessed a unique ability to control the game on the field, distribute passes, and create attacks for his team.
He began his professional career in 1998, joining the youth team of Barcelona. Over time, he became an integral part of Barcelona's main squad and a product of the legendary La Masia academy. He spent 17 years at FC Barcelona, eventually becoming its captain and one of the main inspirations behind the "tiki-taka" style of play.
Xavi helped Barcelona win numerous domestic and international trophies, including 8 La Liga titles and 4 UEFA Champions League titles. He became the heart and soul of the team, and his on-field leadership was invaluable to Barcelona's success during that period. Xavi is also a key figure for the Spanish national team. With the national squad, he won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
His intellectual approach to the game and his ability to create opportunities for his teammates made him an irreplaceable player for the national team. After leaving Barcelona in 2015, Xavi moved to Qatari club Al-Sadd, where he continued to showcase his skills and leadership. He helped the team win several national titles and became a symbol of football development in Qatar.
In addition to his playing career, Xavi has shown an interest in coaching. He has completed coaching courses and expressed a desire to one day manage his former team, Barcelona. Xavi Hernandez is not only a player of exceptional class but also a symbol of virtuosity, game reading ability, and leadership on the field. His style and contribution to world football will be remembered by generations of fans.
The 'FIFA Virus' continues to wreak havoc in the football world, with the excess of matches taking a toll on players pushing them to their limits. La Liga has been heavily affected by the recent international break, losing a significant number of key players.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr (Brazil) and Camavinga (France), Mallorca's Muriqi (Kosovo), Real Sociedad's Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain), Villarreal's Aïssa Mandi (Algeria), and Barcelona's Ter Stegen (Germany) and Gavi (Spain) have all fallen victim to the demanding schedule.
The most severe injury occurred to Gavi, who bid farewell to the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Georgia. Moreover, the player has suffered damage to the external meniscus. His absence could extend up to nine months, causing him to miss both the Euro and the Olympics.
This is a significant blow for Barcelona and manager Xavi Hernandez, losing one of their key players on the pitch. Following this setback, the Catalan club will receive compensation from FIFA through the Player Protection Program. With an inactivity period exceeding 28 days, the organisation will pay €20,548 for each day the player is sidelined.
The medical report released by Barcelona on Monday indicates that the recovery process may last up to nine months, potentially resulting in a total compensation exceeding €5 million.
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