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.
FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said on Thursday after losing 2-3 to Club America of Mexico that some of the players he used are "not yet ready" to be in the first team. "There are players who are not yet in the first team. 16, 17, 18, 19 years old, it's too early for them, it's a lot of responsibility. But the club has this situation, a complicated situation, that they have to take, the responsibility," said the coach in statements to 'TUDN' after the match.
Xavi gave goalkeeper Ander Astarlaga (19) and defenders Pau Cubarse (16) and Gerard Martin (21) their debuts in the starting eleven. In the second half, Diego Kochen (17) made his debut in place of Astarlaga. The team also included other young players who are usually under Rafa Marquez's orders in the reserve or youth teams, such as Marc Casadó, Héctor Fort and Unai. "Rafa is training them very well," said Xavi Hernández about the Mexican's work with the reserve team.
On the match, the Catalan coach said that the two teams "offered a show, chances and goals" in a match that "the people enjoyed, the ones who came to the stadium". Club America are "a very good team, intense, very technically gifted, they don't give the ball away, it's no coincidence that they have become champions," said Xavi, who predicted "a good future" for Andre Jardine's men.
Finally, on playing in the United States 24 hours after an official match against Almeria in Barcelona, Xavi was resigned when he mentioned the team's financial situation: "We have to adapt.
Read on besoccer.com