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.
Inside Spain is a weekly instalment brought to you by Football España, providing an insight into all of the major stories coming out of the rich and intense climes of La Liga and beyond.
It felt as if last weekend’s La Liga action was just a warm-up for the second legs, and the cooling down process from Spain’s three ties might take some time. Only there’s a Clasico this weekend.
Real Madrid’s penalty shootout victory over Manchester City felt either sickeningly or gloriously inevitable depending on where your allegiances lie, having more or less held Manchester City at bay for 120 minutes.
Carlo and Davide Ancelotti went back to their Italian roots, but it was in fact Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta who gave them a hand through to the semi-finals, where they would have met if the Gunners could have beaten Bayern Munich.
Atletico Madrid and Barcelona might have met in the semi-finals had they been able to see out their leads in the second legs, but both collapsed in dramatic fashion. Atletico continued their disastrous away form, Antoine Griezmann was a shadow of himself and Diego Simeone proved that they are no longer a defensive side, only in the wrong way. It has sparked talk of revolution in the summer, but that talk has come and gone in previous summers too.
Meanwhile at Barcelona, revolution is the status quo. Their exit to Paris Saint-Germain was catalysed by Ronald Araujo’s sending off, and then made worse by a silly penalty given away by Joao Cancelo.
Ilkay Gundogan was not amused, and unleashed a steaming hot rant about the mistakes of his teammates, that left the ears of the pair above stinging. Araujo then responded on Thursday, adding fuel to the rumours of a rift in the dressing room.
It does mean the tough decisions
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