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.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has called up Lamine Yamal for what could well be his third and fourth caps against Scotland and Norway during the upcoming international break.
De la Fuente is well within his rights to do so, but it could leave Xavi sweating somewhat. Lamine Yamal has played nearly the whole match in the last two games, and with only three forwards who have played for Barcelona before available against Granada, Xavi is likely to play him once more. This is despite the fact Barcelona and Xavi will want to avoid giving him too much football too early.
Speaking about the precocious 16-year-old, de la Fuente compared Lamine Yamal to Diego Maradona or Lionel Messi.
“We always make sure the process is as reasonable as possible,” he told Marca, after the question noted the Barcelona starlet’s lack of experience in senior football.
“There are players who knock on the door before others. He has fantastic potential and, in any case, he must be taken care of. Do you remember when Messi and Maradona were 16 years old? If someone had said that they shouldn’y play at that age we would have put our hands on our heads. You don’t have to put limits on him, he has to demonstrate his level.”
Just days earlier, Xavi had told the press that they weren’t doing Lamine Yamal any favours by comparing him to Lionel Messi. Certainly the pressure and the attention he has received is incomparable to even Messi or Maradona, the former not making his debut until he was 17. Perhaps Pele is the only reasonable comparison, who won a World Cup at that age.
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