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.
FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez felt, at the end of the 0-0 draw at San Mames against Athletic, that his team "perhaps lacked more faith in what we are doing because it was a great opportunity" to close the gap on Madrid and overtake Girona.
"We were not comfortable, we can't be satisfied, we have to be self-critical. It was a great opportunity lost. I don't have the good feeling that the team could have won the game. I leave disappointed, but there are games in the season that happen," said the Catalan at a press conference.
Xavi also admitted that "the injuries have perhaps affected us", referring to those of Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, because "they are two very decisive players".
"They are the ones who give the team personality in midfield," he said, hoping that "the recovery time in both cases will be less than expected".
On the match, the Catalan explained that they "found it very difficult to make progress", which he believes was "much to Athletic's credit, closing down passing lanes" when "they were under pressure". "It was difficult for us to make progress throughout the game, we didn't play a good game," he added, confessing that, in his opinion, "the only positive thing" was that they were "very good in defence".
Xavi revealed that "the dressing room is affected when they don't win and even more so knowing that it was a very good opportunity". "We didn't believe more in what we were doing, but Athletic also defended very well. In the first 15-20 minutes, the feeling was that we could win, but then the level dropped. Perhaps we lacked more belief in what we were doing because it was a great opportunity," he confessed.
"We gave everything, the team gave everything, they worked hard and Athletic barely created chances
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