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 says he was shown a red card against Atletico Madrid because of gestures he made on the touchline, not because of anything he'd said.
The Spaniard was given his marching orders by Jose Maria Sanchez just before the half-time interval of a game Barcelona went on to comfortably win 3-0. Joao Felix, Robert Lewandowski and Fermin Lopez were the goalscorers for the Catalan giants — the former netting against the club's he currently on loan from.
The win was arguably Barcelona's most impressive of the season — extending their run to ten games unbeaten in all competitions — and inflicted Atleti's first home La Liga defeat of the campaign.
But shortly after Felix's opening goal, Xavi was sent to the stands to watch the remainder of the game, having been shown two quick fire yellow cards by the referee.
“The referee said he sent me off for my gestures. I didn’t say absolutely anything," Xavi told reporters after the game. «I’m always respectful. If I make gestures it’s because I’m very passionate.»
Xavi has been no stranger to bookings this season, having already served two separate touchline bans in 2023/24 for his conduct towards referees.
Xavi has been no stranger to touchline controversy this season, having already served two separate touchline bans for his conduct towards referees. And a third suspension is now incoming, likely consigning him to the stands for Barcelona's upcoming games against Las Palmas and Cadiz.
Crucially, Xavi's ban will not extend to European competition, meaning he's free to be in the dugout for Barcelona's upcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg tie with French giants Paris Saint-Germain — a game the legendary midfielder insists his side are the underdogs in
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