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 latest report from Spain suggests Barcelona are open to the sale of defender Jules Kounde, opening the door for Chelsea to revisit a former target.
Instead of going from strength to strength this season, the reigning Spanish champions are in turmoil as they sit third in their division — 10 points behind rivals Real Madrid.
Troubles have not only occurred on the pitch, however, as once again the Catalan club grapple with Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions that have them desperately attempting to balance the books. The situation is so grave in fact that manager Xavi Hernandez has opted to depart his position at the season's end, with the club in his words «past the point of no return.»
But to one club's detriment comes another's gain, and that other club may yet be Chelsea. Covering Barca's options, Deportivo Mundo state that Kounde is one of the more likely to leave this summer.
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As well as the club needing to ease their finances, the report explains that Kounde's departure would make sense as he remains unhappy with his role at Camp Nou.
For a central defensive place in Xavi's starting line-up he must compete with Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, and Pau Cubarsi. Add into the mix Eric Garcia, who is to return from his loan at high-flying Girona at the end of the campaign, and that means Kounde's most likely option for game time has been a spot at right back — one that he has made clear he does not wish to play.
This comes only two years after the defender opted to move across La Liga from Sevilla to Barca for £47m, as opposed to
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