Today we celebrate the 41st birthday of FC Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez by taking a brief look back on his career story.
Xavi Hernandez Creus is regarded as one of the finest Spanish football talents from the 21st century and one of the greatest in FC Barcelona’s entire history.
The now-retired midfielder was the embodiment of Barcelona’s tiki-taka style of play. He joined the club’s famed La Masia academy aged 11, made his senior debut in August 1998, and proceeded to make a record 767 appearances in the Blaugrana jersey.
Xavi won 31 major titles throughout his career for club and country, a tally which only Andres Iniesta has bettered as Spain’s most decorated footballer of all time.
The Catalan was instrumental in Barcelona’s dominance from 2008 until his departure in 2015. He helped win countless Champions League and La Liga titles while helping the Spanish national team claim two European championships and the World Cup itself at the same time.
Xavi, who also sealed third-place finishes in the FIFA World Player of the Year (2009) and Ballon d’Or (2010, 2011) retired in 2019 to become manager of Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd.
Everyone here on Ace Football wishes Xavi a happy 41st birthday and all the best for the upcoming year.
Here are some of the best tributes on Twitter today.
🗣️ “He is the best player in the history of Spanish football and one of the most unique players that has ever lived,” said Lionel Messi
🎉 Happy 41st birthday to Xavi, 'The Puppet Master' who pulled the strings as @SeFutbol conquered the #WorldCuppic.twitter.com/uRmY3LeJZh
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 25, 2021
⚽️ 58 goals
🎁 96 assists.
👟 Lots and lots of passes.
🏆 8 #LaLigaSantander titles.#HBD to an ex‐@FCBarcelona captain and legend of the game. 🥳💙 XAVI = #LaLigaHistory ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Hnkqpko0mA
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) January 25, 2021
x8 LaLiga 🏆🇪🇸
x3 Copa del Rey 🏆🇪🇸
x6 Supercopa 🏆🇪🇸
x4 Champions League 🏆🇪🇺
x2 UEFA Super Cup 🏆🇪🇺
x2 Club World Cup 🏆🌍
x2 European Championship 🏆🇪🇺
x1 World Cup 🏆🌍x5 UEFA TOTY 🥇🇪🇺
x6 FIFPro World XI 🥇🌍Happy Birthday to Xavi 🔵🔴#Xavi #FCBarcelona #Barca pic.twitter.com/e6Ycnu2mcV
— LiveScore (@livescore) January 25, 2021
G⚽️AL OF THE DAY
💙❤️ Xavi 🎂 pic.twitter.com/qEnw4lEPZU— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 25, 2021
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