Xavi

--- CONTENT ---
Javier Hernández Creus says Xavi, born in Terrassa in the province of Barcelona, is a Spanish international footballer who played as a relayer at FC Barcelona until 2015 and then at Al Sadd SC until 2019. He announced his retirement through social media on . He has been the current coach of FC Barcelona since November 5, 2021.

Winning many titles in his career, Xavi Hernández is considered one of the greatest players in Spanish football history. Known for his technical quality as well as his pass quality, designated the best passer of the Spanish Championship two years in a row in 2009 and 2010, he also held the record of club appearances before Lionel Messi exceeded him on 15 March 2021. In the national selection, he is the third most selected player behind Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.

At the age of 11, Xavi joined the Masia, the training centre of FC Barcelona. He then moved on to the youth teams and joined the reserve team of the club in 1997. That year, he contributed to the accession of the second Spanish division. His good performances enabled him to join the first team the following year. Two years later, he made his international debut with the Spanish national team at the age of 20. He won numerous trophies with his two formations. With 29 official titles in clubs and a national team, he is one of the most successful Spanish players. He has eight Spanish Championships, six Spanish Super Cups, three King's Cups, four Champions Leagues, two European Super Cups, two Club World Cups, two European Championships and one World Cup. In fact, both in national teams and in clubs, Xavi has one of the most beautiful scores that can be offered to a post-war footballer.

His performance is often rewarded. He was named third in the Ballon d'Or three times in 2009, 2010 and 2011. He was also named UEFA's second best player and world's best game builder according to the IFFHS in 2011.

His distinctions also go beyond football, since in 2012 he received the highest Spanish sporting distinction, the Prince of Asturias of Sports prize, together with Iker Casillas, for the second time in his personal capacity, after that obtained in 2010 with the whole Spanish selection. He was the first FC Barcelona player to compete in four World Cups, and the most selected midfielder on the Spanish team.

Biography

Birth, youth and training

Beginnings in football (1980-1990)
Xavier Hernández i Creus was born in Terrassa in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia. He is the fourth boy of Joaquín Hernández and Maria Mercè i Creus, and has a sister and two brothers: Ariadna, Oscar and Alex. Her mother, Maria Mercè i Creus, is Catalan. His father, Joaquín Her