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 highs at Barcelona for Joao Felix can be counted on one hand. His performances against Real Betis, Royal Antwerp and Atletico Madrid feel increasingly distant, and his place is beginning to come under scrutiny. That much seems evident in Felix’s demeanour, who cut a frustrated figure against fourth tier Barbastro in the Copa del Rey on Sunday night.
The Portuguese had been one of Barcelona’s better players through September and October, but since his performances have disappeared, save for the exception of Barcelona’s win over Atletico Madrid. Against Las Palmas last week he lost his place to Ferran Torres, and when he came on, raged at his teammates for not slipping him in on two occasions.
The same happened against Barbastro, while he also got into a lengthy argument with Ferran Torres over a free-kick, despite the fact Torres is the only Barcelona player to score one since Lionel Messi left Barcelona.
Felix did have a header wrongly disallowed against Barbastro, but outside of that his impact was minimal, and his interventions were strewn with errors. That included a failed Cruyff turn, after which he watched the Barbastro defender stroll away from him, and also the gift of a corner that resulted in Barbastro’s opener.
Manager Xavi Hernandez criticised his team for ‘giving away gifts’ after the match, and increasingly it looks as if the Catalan coach is losing patience with him. On his day, Felix offers Barcelona something different, and can be a creative hub, especially against deeper defences. As has been the case for much of his career since joining Atletico Madrid though, the consistency with which he does it is thratening his place in the side.
Read on m.allfootballapp.com