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.
Lionel Messi captained Barcelona for three season from 2018 to 2021 winning the La Liga title in 2019.
The Argentinian replaced Andres Iniesta as club skipper, as part of a period of transition at the club, before eventually leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
Messi’s incredible overall Barcelona career was not matched by his trophy haul as captain which featured some infamous UEFA Champions League defeats.
His legacy at Barcelona is unquestioned but former teammate Ivan Rakitic has raised doubts over aspects of his captaincy.
The pair won four league titles together, under three different captains, including Messi, Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, before Rakitic returned to Sevilla in 2020.
The former Croatian international is now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia and he hinted that Messi’s communication was at times an issue.
“Messi is the best in history, and if he put his mind to it, he could be the best left back in the world if he wanted to!” as per quotes carried by Diario AS.
“Although he was sometimes not the best captain to tell you what you had to do, that was because he was unique and different.”
Messi was immediately installed as Inter Miami captain, after joining in July 2023, with the 36-year-old leading them to a first ever trophy in the Leagues Cup last summer.
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