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.
Lamine Yamal became the youngest player to score in a European Championship qualifier as Spain beat Georgia 7-1 on Friday.
At age 16 years and 57 days, he beat the record set by Gareth Bale, who was 17 years and 83 days when he scored for Wales against Slovakia in 2006.
Yamal’s strike in the 74th minute also saw him make history as Spain’s youngest goal scorer. Gavi had previously set the record at 17 years and 10 months.
Yamal had come on as a first-half substitute to become the youngest player to appear for Spain, a record also previously held by Gavi in 2021 when he was 17 years and 62 days.
Yamal’s record-breaking night overshadowed Alvaro Morata’s hat trick in the rout against Georgia.
Spain took a 4-0 lead inside 40 minutes at Boris Paichadze Stadium in Tbilisi to move up to second in Group A on six points after three games.
Scotland, which beat Cyprus 3-0, leads the group on 15 points after winning all five of its games so far.
Morata opened the scoring for Spain in the 22nd and got his second in the 40th. He completed his hat trick in the 65th.
Solomon Kvirkvelia scored an own-goal in the 27th to double Spain’s lead and Dani Olmo added another in the 38th.
Spain led 4-0 at halftime, but Giorgi Chakvetadze pulled one back for Georgia four minutes after the break.
After Morata’s third made it 5-1, Nico Williams scored a sixth for the visitors in the 68th.
Yamal capped a historic evening when the forward converted Williams’ cross with a fine left-footed finish.
Yamal had already set milestones at Barcelona.
After he caught the eye of coach Xavi Hernández while playing for the club’s youth sides, Yamal went on to become the youngest player to appear for Barcelona in April when he was 15 years, 9 months, 16 days. Last
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