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.
According to El Nacional, Deco is in pole position to convince a potential Real Madrid target to sign for Barcelona. The Portuguese former midfielder, who is now working with the Blaugrana's sporting department, has the responsibility of sorting out the right-back position at Camp Nou.
Deco has reportedly identified Real Valladolid starlet Ivan Fresneda as the heir to Dani Alves' throne, which has been up for contention ever since the Brazillian's departure in 2016. Barcelona have tried numerous options on the right flank, including the likes of Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde and club captain Sergi Roberto.
Nevertheless, all of the names mentioned above have their limitations with the right-back position. While Araujo and Kounde are primarily central defenders, Roberto's diminishing influence in crucial matches prevents him from making the position his own. Dest, on the other hand, has been deemed not good enough by Barcelona.
Even though manager Xavi Hernandez remains adamant about recruiting out-of-favor Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, Barcelona's financial woes could extinguish those fires. As a countermeasure, Deco has identified Ivan Fresneda as a cheaper alternative for the Catalan giants to sign.
The 18-year-old Spanish defender was one of the few promising members of an otherwise dismal Valladolid team last season. And with a significantly reduced price tag, Deco feels his acquisition would solve both financial, as well as sporting problems at the club. With Xavi insistent on the signing of a more experienced Cancelo, Deco has the mighty task of convincing the manager of the deal.
Interestingly enough, Barcelona's closest sporting rivals are also their closest competitors for the purchase of
Read on sportskeeda.com