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 manager Xavi Hernandez insists his players are willing to suffer in order to advance in the return leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris St Germain.
Barca beat PSG 3-2 in the first leg in France last week but Xavi said his side will need to be nearly flawless to reach the semi-finals for the first time in five years.
"It's going to be a major football war," Xavi said.
"We are not a team that speculates, we will want to take the ball away from PSG and win the game. Hopefully we'll be at our best. They're going to demand a lot from us."
The victory in Paris was Barca's first win in the Champions League knockout stage in four years and left them full of confidence as they reached six consecutive victories in all competitions.
They are unbeaten since losing 5-3 at home to Villarreal in LaLiga in January that led to Xavi announcing he was stepping down as manager at the end of what then looked like a difficult season.
Now, 13 competitive games without a loss later, including a commanding performance in the French capital to end PSG's 27-game unbeaten run, Tuesday's challenge seems to have presented itself at the perfect time.
"Happy to be where we are, proud to be where we are. I think it's a good moment and I'm excited. We feel it already," Xavi said.
"We have to control our emotions, our temperament... It's a game of heads or tails. We want to be in control with the ball, and we want to show the best side and personality of the team.
"We need our fans to be loud because PSG will make us suffer, there's no doubt about it, and we have to be a team to beat them. All of us, together."
Xavi's counterpart Luis Enrique, who led Barca to the treble in 2015, is confident PSG can overcome what he
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