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.
Sporting Director Deco has a huge task on his hands to appoint the successor of Xavi Hernandez, who announced last month that he will be stepping down as Barcelona’s head coach at the end of the season.
Many names have already been linked with the position, including the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Hansi Flick. However, recent reports have suggested that Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi is Barcelona’s preferred candidate, with Deco and Joan Laporta impressed by the Italian’s credentials.
Brighton have no intention of allowing De Zerbi to leave this summer, and according to talkSPORT (via MD), they have notified the 44-year-old of their intention to open contract negotiations.
De Zerbi’s current deal, which expires in 2026, is reported to have a release clause worth as much as €15m. Barcelona are reportedly willing to activate this, although they currently cannot afford to do so because of their financial problems. Their chances would diminish further if De Zerbi agrees to a new contract at Brighton.
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