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 are heading back to the Parc des Princes for the first time since the pandemic, when they drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain, in Lionel Messi’s last game in Europe for the club. That was the other side of a 4-0 defeat at Camp Nou. Xavi Hernandez has several selection dilemmas to cope with too.
Frenkie de Jong, Andreas Christensen and Pedri are all back from injury, but Xavi did note in his pre-match press conference that it was a ‘game for players who were at 100%’. Sport believe that de Jong will be fit enough, but that Christensen and Pedri will be left out. Otherwise it will be the same side that started against Las Palmas 10 days ago, featuring Raphinha and Lamine Yamal either side of Robert Lewandowski.
In terms of injuries, Alejandro Balde and Gavi are the only players missing, but de Jong, Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto, Christensen, Ferran Torres, Joao Felix and Lamine Yamal are all in danger of missing the second leg, as they are one booking away from suspension.
MD believe that de Jong will be left out in favour of Christensen at the base of midfield, but both have Roberto starting, in the only difference between their two predictions.
Luis Enrique’s PSG are missing Achraf Hakimi through suspension, as well as Nordi Mukiele and Presnel Kimpembe through injury. There is no consensus on who will replace the former, but Marquinhos looks most likely to start there instead. Up front there is also some debate over whether Kang-In Lee or Randal Kolo Muani will start, but the Asturian coach is always capable of a surprise. Lucas Hernandez, Milan Skriniar, Manuel Ugarte and Ousmane Dembele are all a yellow away from suspension too.
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