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.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said his team's injury woes are no excuse ahead of the clash with Napoli on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
The Catalans are aiming to reach the quarterfinals of the competition they last won in 2015, with the tie level at 1-1 after the first leg in Italy.
Xavi is missing three key midfielders in Pedri, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong, as well as Ferran Torres and Alejandro Balde.
However, the coach said his team could not use that as mitigation for failure and demanded a "magic night" at the club's temporary Olympic Stadium home on the city's Montjuic hill.
"It's the moment to be able to reach the quarterfinals, for four years we haven't got to the last eight of the Champions League, I see it as an opportunity," said the coach.
"It's true that we have players out, but it's not an excuse. It's an opportunity."
The coach announced in January that he would leave Barcelona at the end of the season, and the Champions League is a final chance to go out on a high.
XAVI'S 'EXPIRY DATE'
Despite leading Barcelona to the Spanish title last season, Barca are off the pace in third in LaLiga, out of the Copa del Rey and were thrashed by Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.
"I am not the important thing here, the club is the important thing – I have an expiry date," continued Xavi.
"With Barcelona united, with the stadium full, we have to live a magic night."
Xavi said there were no favourites in the tie and that he thought it was "50-50", although home advantage could tilt the match Barcelona's way.
"It has to be a pressure cooker," added Xavi.
"The players have to feel the support of the fans."
The team have struggled badly in defence for the majority of the season but have now kept three clean sheets in a row.
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