Xavi Hernández

Lore & Background

Xavi joined La Masia at age 11 and made his first-team debut against Mallorca in August 1998. For Barcelona, he played 767 official matches and scored 85 goals. With Pep Guardiola's guidance and the tiki-taka philosophy, Xavi was part of a midfield trio with Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets; from 2008 to 2015 they won five La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles, and three Champions League titles, including two continental trebles in 2008–09 and 2014–15.

Xavi was the first player in the club's history to play 150 European and FIFA Club World Cup matches combined. In 2015, he left Barcelona for Al Sadd, where he won six trophies before retiring in 2019. With Spain, he won the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999 and an Olympic silver medal in 2000. He made his senior debut in 2000 and was capped 133 times.

He played an integral role in Spain's 2010 World Cup win and their UEFA Euro 2008 and 2012 victories. He was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008 and in the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament in 2008 and 2012. With two assists in the UEFA Euro 2012 Final, Xavi became the first player to make assists in two separate European finals. After the 2014 World Cup, he retired from international football.

Xavi came third in the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA Ballon d'Or, and third in the Ballon d'Or in 2010 and 2011. In 2011, he was runner-up to Messi for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award. He received the Prince of Asturias Award in 2012 and the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker award four times from 2008 to 2011. He was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI six times from 2008 to 2013 and in the UEFA Team of the Year five times from 2008 to 2012.

In 2020, he was named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team. After retirement, he became manager of Al Sadd in May 2019, winning seven trophies in less than three years. In November 2021, he was appointed manager at Barcelona, winning the 2023 Supercopa de España and the 2022–23 La Liga title in his first full season.

Reader's Guide

Xavi is a legendary midfielder known for his passing and vision. He spent most of his career at Barcelona, making 767 official appearances and scoring 85 goals. He was a key part of Spain's golden era, winning the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 and 2012. As a manager, he led Barcelona to a La Liga title and Supercopa de España in his first full season.