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 coach Xavi Hernandez hailed his side's 3-2 win away to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday, insisting it showed the Catalans could once again compete with the very best teams in Europe.
"We had time to prepare for this game and everything turned out very well, in defence and in attack. We are proud of the team. Paris played very well, but we kept their threat to a minimum," Xavi said after substitute Andreas Christensen's 77th-minute header gave Barca the victory at the Parc des Princes.
MATCH REPORT | Raphinha brace paces Barça in 3-2 win over PSG in the first leg of the @ChampionsLeague quarterfinals. #PSGBarça #UCL https://t.co/0fUBH3vRxG
Raphinha had given the visitors the lead at halftime, only for PSG to turn the game on its head with goals by Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha in the first six minutes after the restart.
However, Raphinha volleyed in a Pedri pass to equalise before Christensen's winner.
"It is a great victory against one of the best teams in the world. It is very difficult to defend against this team because of how they press you, but we did it very well," added Xavi, whose side are unbeaten in 12 games since he announced he would depart at the season's end.
"We are only halfway there though, and it will be very difficult in Barcelona."
'WE CAN BE PROUD'
The Catalans are appearing in the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2020, when they lost 8-2 to Bayern Munich in Lisbon, and since Lionel Messi left the club.
It is their first away win in the knockout phase of the competition since 2019.
"The players believe in themselves," said Xavi as he looked ahead to next Tuesday's return at Montjuic.
"They have this opportunity, and if
Read on supersport.com