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 goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has admitted that he was left with a bitter taste in his mouth following Xavi Hernandez’s announcement that he would be leaving at the end of the season. The German goalkeeper pointed to the fact that in part, he and his colleagues were responsible for it.
The pair shared a dressing room for a single season when ter Stegen arrived in 2014, with Xavi enjoying a much more glorious farewell in 2015, hoisting the Champions League aloft. The chances of a similar departure this season seem slim. Ter Stegen was asked how he took the news.
“Xavi announced it, his goodbye, and to me, who has known him for years, it felt bad. We are also responsible for these decisions. He told us that this does not stop and that we must give our best, also for him. He is a great coach who has brought us back to this point and is working very well so that we can compete every 3 or 4 days. Unfortunately he is leaving and it is difficult to accept that as a player and friend,” ter Stegen explained to the press, ahead of their Champions League clash with Napoli.
One of the candidates to replace Xavi Hernandez is ter Stegen’s former national team coach Hansi Flick, who has been linked extensively to the role, and is reportedly keen to take the job. Ter Stegen was asked for an opinion on him. As a general rule, Manuel Neuer was number one under Flick.
“It is not the time to talk about Hansi Flick, just after the question about Xavi, it is not the day. Tomorrow we play maybe the most important game of the season. He is a great person who we value a lot in the German team. I know you don’t like this answer, I can see that from your reaction, but it’s not the time.”
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