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.
Fermin Lopez is one of those players destined to make a name for himself at Barcelona in the short, medium and long term. He has already made 17 appearances for the first team this season after a successful loan spell at Linares Deportivo in the previous campaign.
Although he seems a step behind Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan, it is understandable to see them ahead of him in terms of prominence. He analysed this and other issues, on Christmas Eve, for 'Mundo Deportivo'.
"We've had a run of negative results, but I think there have also been times when we've been good and we've been playing well. Let's hope we can turn the situation around and get back to winning and playing well. At the end of the day, we're in the elite and it's very difficult. We have to keep working together and united as always," he said.
The 20-year-old told how his coach Xavi Hernandez makes them reflect on their performances: "Also, many times, we have been punished a lot, we have had little effectiveness and, afterwards, the games have been complicated for us because the rival teams also play, but there are times when we have played a good game and we have been punished a little for our effectiveness.
"Xavi is always very positive. He makes us self-critical, above all, but always with positivity, looking forward, correcting and continuing on our way. He gets on the ball when he has to, when it's time."
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