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 has said that his side will face a better Napoli on Tuesday night at Montjuic than at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in February. Manager Francesco Calzona was appointed less than 48 hours before the first tie, but now with several weeks under his belt, Xavi feels Napoli are a different side.
Since the first leg, drawn 1-1, Calzona’s side have drawn with Cagliari, thumped Sassuolo 6-1, beaten Juventus and on Friday night had another 1-1 draw with Torino.
“Napoli have improved with the new coach, more dynamic and comfortable. Our losses are important, but we have to compete. We were better there and we have to be better here”
“I expect a brave Napoli that plays out from the back and presses high, that does not speculate, has a lot of individual quality, the three up top have a lot of quality, it is a big game and it is a great team, current champion of Italy,” Xavi told the press.
It was put to Xavi that playing at Montjuic could be a disadvantage compared to the usual big-game atmosphere at Camp Nou.
“Montjuïc has to feel like Camp Nou. We need to fill it, and we need it to be the 12th player, which is spoken about so much in Europe. It has to be a cauldron of pressure, the players have to feel the warmth of the people. Of the Napoli players, I like those up front, they are at the top level in Europe Politano, Osimhen and Kvara. And also how they defend.”
Xavi was also asked which Napoli player he liked most, electing Slovakian midfielder Stanislav Lobotka.
“Difficult. I would say Lobotka, I like him a lot, the way he builds from the back and doesn’t lose the ball. I would like to see him in a club like Barca, I think he has the quality to play for a club like Barcelona, I think he makes the
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