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.
Barcelona goalkeeper and Vice-Captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen has revealed that he spoke about reaching milestones as the number one with former Sporting Director and goalkeeping legend Andoni Zubizarreta a decade ago. Ter Stegen reached 400 games with Barcelona on Friday night against Real Mallorca.
Ter Stegen arrived in Barcelona for €12m in 2014 from Borussia Moenchengladbach as a 22-year-old, and is now the second-longest serving player at the club after Sergi Roberto.
“Ten years ago when Zubi signed me we talked about all this, I hope there will be many more games than the 400, I am proud to defend this shirt.”
He also spoke about the fact that Barcelona had gone three games without conceding, and praised Xavi Hernandez’s used of Andreas Christensen in midfield, a tactical shift that has helped stem the flow of goals flying past ter Stegen. They will be hoping to keep a clean sheet against Napoli on Tuesday night.
“Christensen as a midfielder gives us more balance between lines in defense and attack, it was a decision that Xavi made and it gives us a lot, he looks confident and calm to me even if at first he was not very, very comfortable in the new position.”
Ter Stegen for just the second time in that decade at the club missed a series of games this season, after undergoing back surgery in December. Ter Stegen explained that he tried to take something from the experience, while also praining back-up goalkeeper Inaki Pena, whose saves were crucial in the final two group stage games.
“It was a hard time of absence in which you learn a lot, and if you look at it in than way, you come back with a little more. We had to make a decision, in the first game it was a bit difficult or me in terms of getting the feeling back.
Read on football-espana.net