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.
Following Girona’s humbling defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday, Barcelona have the chance to close to within three points of their Catalan neighbours when they host Granada at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday evening.
Barcelona have won five of their last six matches in La Liga, a run that they will hope to extend against a struggling Granada side. They produce an excellent result and performance last time out against Alaves, and as a result, head coach Xavi Hernandez intends to make just one change from that side.
It’s a big one too, as Sport say that Marc-Andre Ter Stegen will return in goals, having fully recovered from a back injury that has seen him out of action for the last three months. Inaki Pena, who has deputised during this period, will return to the bench. Raphinha is also back from injury, but he is expected to be a substitute, with Lamine Yamal in line to start his sixth successive match.
Granada are winless in their last four, and they need to start picking up results if they are to remain in La Liga beyond this season. There will be no Bryan Zaragoza, who tormented Barcelona in the return fixture, as he joined Bayern Munich in January. There is expected to be two changes from the side that drew with Las Palmas last time out, with Kamil Piatkowski and Gonzalo Villar suspended – their replacements are likely to be Ignasi Miquel and Gerard Gumbau.
Barcelona will fancy their chances of continuing their good form with another victory in this one. However, Granada – whom Xavi has yet to defeat during his time in charge – will make it very difficult, as they look for a positive result of their own.
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