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.
Star signing Ilkay Gundogan was presented as a new Barcelona player on Monday morning in the Catalan capital, with President Joan Laporta and Director of Football Mateu Alemany present.
Gundogan and Laporta both went out of their way to highlight the work of former Sporting Director Jordi Cruyff in getting the signing over the line. The deal was announced weeks ago, but Gundogan has been enjoying holidays following his treble victory with Manchester City and Germany duty.
Laporta also pointed out that Gundogan, who joins on a free from City, rejected other offers of a greater financial value in order to join Barcelona, and that he was the first player that Manager Xavi Hernandez asked for this summer.
Gundogan began by addressing the press in Catalan and thanking Xavi for the opportunity and his role in the deal too. One of the key questions for the Barcelona manager is how he will go about constructing the Barcelona midfield next season without Sergio Busquets, but with Gundogan.
The German veteran is no more clear on that than the rest of the world though, saying Xavi had not informed him of any particular role he would play.
“Xavi appreciates that I am a versatile player. He has not told me about a specific position, but I think I can combine with different players and in different positions,” Gundogan explained.
More specifically on coming in for Busquets at the base of midfield, Gundogan did not have any qualms about playing there.
“I am ready, in recent years I think I have shown that I am capable of showing that I can play in different roles and I believe that I will be able to help where I am needed.”
Although Frenkie de Jong offers a little more experience at the top level, Gundogan is likely to be working with two
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