Xavi is a former professional football player from Spain. As of 2022, he is the manager for FC Barcelona, a post he’s held since 2021. He also played for the Spain National Football Team and helped them win the 2010 FIFA World Cup as well as two UEFA European Championships.
Player Profile, Personal Life, and Youth Career
Xavier Hernández Creus, better known as Xavi, was born on January 25, 1980, in Terrassa, Spain. As a kid, he enjoyed watching English football and was a fan of John Barnes, Matt Le Tissier, and Paul Gascoigne. He also enjoyed watching Pep Guardiola play.
In 2013, he married Nurioa Cunillera. They have a daughter and son together.
His youth career was spent with FC Barcelona and played with them from 1984 to 1997.
Professional Career
He turned pro in 1997 and started playing for Barcelona B. In 1998, he was promoted to the main squad and played with them from 1998 to 2015. In total, he made 505 appearances for the club, scoring 58 goals. In 2015, he began playing for Al Sadd in Qatar. He played with the club through to his retirement in 2019.
While he was with Barcelona, he helped the team win eight La Liga titles. He also has two FIFA Club World Cup wins with the Spanish club.
In addition to his club career, Xavi also played for pain and in 2010, he was on the team that won the FIFA World Cup.
For his contribution to football, he was given the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit in 2010 and the Prince of Asturias Award for Sports in 2010 and 2012.
Managing Career
After his playing career, he switched over to managing and started managing Al Sadd in 2019. In 2021, he was hired by Barcelona to manage the team.
Career Highlights:
Barcelona
- La Liga - 1998–99, 2004–05, 2005–06,2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13,2014–15
- Copa del Rey - 2008–09, 2011–12,2014–15
- Supercopa de España - 2005, 2006,2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
- UEFA Champions League - 2005–06,2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
- UEFA Super Cup - 2009, 2011
- FIFA Club World Cup - 2009, 2011
Al Sadd
- Qatar Stars League - 2018–19
- Qatar Cup - 2017
- Sheikh Jassim Cup - 2017
- Emir of Qatar Cup - 2017
Spain
- FIFA World Cup - 2010
- UEFA European Championship - 2008,2012
Manager
Al Sadd
- Qatar Stars League - 2020–21
- Qatar Cup - 2020, 2021
- Sheikh Jassim Cup - 2019
- Emir of Qatar Cup - 2020, 2021
- Qatari Stars Cup - 2019–20
Individual
- World Soccer Player of the Year -2010
- UEFA European Championship Player ofthe Tournament - 2008
- UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year -2008–09
- IFFHS World’s Best Playmaker - 2008,2009, 2010, 2011
- La Liga Breakthrough Player of theYear - 1999
- La Liga Spanish Player of the Year -2005
- La Liga Midfielder of the Year -2009, 2010, 2011
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team - 2010
- UEFA European Championship Team ofthe Tournament - 2008, 2012
- All-time UEFA European Under-21Championship dream team - 2015
- New York City FC’s Ride of Fame:September - 2015
- FIFA FIFPro World11 - 2008, 2009,2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
- UEFA Team of the Year - 2008, 2009,2010, 2011, 2012
- ESM Team of the Year - 2008–09,2010–11, 2011–12
- Don Balón Team of the Decade - 2010
- FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball -2011
- FIFA Club World Cup Bronze Ball -2009
- Globe Soccer Awards Player CareerAward - 2013
- UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year -2015
- Marca Legend Award - 2015
- AFC Champions League Fans’ Best XI -2018
- AFC Champions League OPTA Best XI -2018
- Ballon d’Or Dream Team - 2020
- IFFHS All-time Men’s Dream Team -2021
- Spanish Sportsman of the Year - 2009
- Gold Medal of the Royal Order ofSporting Merit - 2010
- Prince of Asturias Award for Sports
- 2010, 2012
Team History:
National Team
- 1997 - Spain U17
- 1997–1998 - Spain U18
- 1999 - Spain U20
- 1998–2001 - Spain U21
- 2000 - Spain U23
- 2000–2014 - Spain
Teams Managed
- 2019–2021 - Al Sadd
- 2021–Present - Barcelona
User Comments
-
-
Alagie malick mbye
he is my star player, i really love his stile of play that's why i always play like him. even my team members use to call me xavi.
Reply -
