Xavi Hernandez

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Xavi joined La Masia at age 11 and made his first-team debut against Mallorca in August 1998, age 18. For Barcelona, he played 767 official matches, a former club record—now held by Lionel Messi—and scored 85 goals. With the initial management guidance by Pep Guardiola and using the tiki-taka football philosophy, Xavi was part of a widely lauded midfield combination trio with Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets; from 2008 to 2015 the trio together were instrumental in Barcelona's exceptional on-field successes in 7 seasons, winning 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, Xavi won the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999, and the Olympic silver medal at the 2000 Olympics. He made his senior team debut in 2000 and was capped 133 times for Spain. Xavi played an integral role in Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup win, as well as their UEFA Euro 2008 and UEFA Euro 2012 victories. He was named Player of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 2008 and was named 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 FIFA World Cup, Xavi announced his retirement from international football. Xavi came third place in both the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA Ballon d'Or, followed by third place 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. Xavi was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award in 2012. He was awarded the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker award four consecutive 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, Xavi was named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team. After retirement, Xavi transitioned to management. In May 2019, he became manager of Al Sadd, where he won seven trophies in less than three years. In November 2021, Xavi was appointed as manager at his former club Barcelona. He won the 2023 Supercopa de España title and the 2022–23 La Liga tit

In Their Own Story

In the 2009 Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao, Xavi scored the fourth goal in a 4–1 win with a free-kick. In La Liga, one of his most significant games was the 6–2 Clásico victory over Real Madrid on 2 May 2009, where he assisted four goals — once to Carles Puyol, once to Thierry Henry and twice to Lionel Messi. He helped Barcelona win the 2009 Champions League final 2–0 against Manchester United, assisting the second goal by crossing the ball to Lionel Messi for his header. Prior to that match, Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson praised the central midfield combination of Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, stating, 'I don't think Xavi and Iniesta have ever given the ball away in their lives. They get you on that carousel and they can leave you dizzy.' On 2 January 2011, in a league match against Levante, Xavi made his 549th appearance for the club in all competitions, matching the record held by Migueli, and later became the player with the most appearances for Barcelona of all time. On 28 May 2011, Xavi was imperious in the 2011 UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium as Barcelona defeated Manchester United 3–1. In the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup final, Barcelona won 4–0 against Brazilian side Santos as Xavi scored a goal and made an assist to Lionel Messi.

Reader's Guide

Xavi is a Spanish football manager and former player, currently head coach of the Netherlands national team. He is best known for his exceptional passing and vision as a midfielder for Barcelona and Spain. Key achievements include winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008 and 2012, and multiple La Liga and Champions League titles with Barcelona. He also managed Barcelona from 2021, winning the 2022–23 La Liga and 2023 Supercopa de España.

Did You Know?

• Xavi is the all-time Spanish top assist provider in the UEFA Champions League with 30 assists.
• He was the first player in Barcelona's history to play 150 European and FIFA Club World Cup matches combined.
• Xavi was named Player of the Tournament at UEFA Euro 2008.
• He won the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker award four consecutive times from 2008 to 2011.