Xavi Hernandez

Xavier Hernández Creus, known as Xavi Hernández or simply Xavi, was born on 25 January 1980. He is a Spanish football manager and former midfielder, currently managing the Netherlands national team. Considered one of the finest midfielders ever, he was famous for his passing and vision. He holds the record for most assists by a Spanish player in the UEFA Champions League, with 30.

He played most of his career for Barcelona and is among the few players to have made over 1,000 professional appearances. Xavi entered Barcelona’s La Masia academy at age 11 and debuted for the first team in August 1998 against Mallorca at 18. He played 767 official matches for Barcelona—a club record until Lionel Messi surpassed it—scoring 85 goals. Under Pep Guardiola’s management and the tiki-taka style, Xavi formed a celebrated midfield trio with Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

From 2008 to 2015, they were key to Barcelona’s success, winning five La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey titles, and three Champions League titles, including trebles in 2008–09 and 2014–15. Xavi was the first Barcelona player to appear in 150 combined European and FIFA Club World Cup matches. He left for Al Sadd in 2015, winning six trophies before retiring in 2019. With Spain, Xavi won the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999 and an Olympic silver medal in 2000.

He debuted for the senior team in 2000 and earned 133 caps. He was crucial to Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory and their Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 titles. He was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008 and made the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament in 2008 and 2012. By providing two assists in the Euro 2012 final, he became the first player to assist in two separate European finals.

He retired from international football after the 2014 World Cup. Xavi finished third in the 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA Ballon d’Or awards, and third in the Ballon d’Or in 2010 and 2011. He was runner-up for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award in 2011. He received the Prince of Asturias Award in 2012 and the IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker award four times in a row from 2008 to 2011.

He was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI six times between 2008 and 2013, and in the UEFA Team of the Year five times from 2008 to 2012. In 2020, he was included in the Ballon d’Or Dream Team, an all-time XI chosen by France Football. After retiring, Xavi became a manager. In May 2019, he took over Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd, winning seven trophies in under three years.

In November 2021, he was appointed manager of his former club Barcelona. He won the 2023 Supercopa de España and the 2022–23 La Liga title in his first full season in charge. Xavi was born in Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia. He joined La Masia at 11 from UFB Jàbac Terrassa and Terrassa.

His father, Joaquim, played for Sabadell in the top division, and his older brother, Óscar, also played and managed. Xavi moved through Barcelona’s youth and reserve teams, helping Josep Maria Gonzalvo’s Barcelona B gain promotion to the Second Division. As a child, he was inspired by Pep Guardiola but also admired English midfielders John Barnes, Paul Gascoigne, and Matt Le Tissier. Xavi made his first-team debut in a Copa Catalunya match against Lleida on 5 May 1998 and scored his first goal in the 1998 Supercopa de España against Mallorca on 18 August.

His La Liga debut came on 3 October 1998 in a 3–1 win over Valencia. He played intermittently for the reserves and seniors, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 win over Real Valladolid when Barcelona were tenth. Consistent performances made him a key part of Louis van Gaal’s title-winning team, finishing his first season with 26 appearances and winning the 1999 La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year award. After Pep Guardiola’s injury in 1999–2000, Xavi became Barcelona’s main playmaker.

Between 2001 and 2008, Barcelona faced financial trouble and struggled in La Liga. Playing a more defensive midfield role, Xavi made 20 assists and scored 7 goals over two seasons. On 16 March 2002, he scored his first El Clásico goal against Real Madrid. He was named vice-captain in 2004–05, helping Barcelona win La Liga, and was awarded La Liga Spanish Player of the Year in 2005.

In 2005–06, he tore ligaments in his left knee in training, missing four months. He returned in April and was an unused substitute in the 2006 Champions League final win over Arsenal, also winning La Liga and the Supercopa de España that season. After being named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008, Xavi considered a move to Bayern Munich, but new Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola convinced him to stay.