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.
Former Manchester City forward Torres had been pencilled in to return but Xavi will again be without him against the Italians.
Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernández had high hopes of having Ferran Torres available again for Tuesday’s huge Champions League game against Napoli at Montjuïc, but the former Manchester City man will ultimately be one of five players unavailable for selection for the second leg of the round-of-16 tie.
Club doctors had said the forward was prepared to undergo a fitness test on Monday and that how he felt during the session would determine whether or not he would make the matchday squad. But it was ultimately deemed it would be too much of a risk and Torres will join Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde, Pedri and Gavi on the sidelines.
Torres has already been out for almost a month and a half, more than what was initially predicted. The attacker injured his hamstring in the defeat to Villarreal on 31 January and was expected to be ruled out for around five weeks.
The only player Xavi could welcome back into the squad to face Napoli is Marcos Alonso, who has been back in group training for almost a week. If Ronald Araújo, Sergi Roberto and João Félix receive a yellow card against the Italians, they will miss the first leg of the quarter-finals, should Barça qualify.
Barcelona and Napoli played out a 1-1 draw in Italy in the first leg of the tie three weeks ago. With the away goals rule no longer counting, there must be a winner on the night in Montjuïc, either over 90 or 120 minutes, or in a penalty shootout.
Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have already qualified for the last eight, with the ties between Arsenal and Porto, Atlético Madrid and Inter, and Borussia
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