Barcelona has seen many produced midfield talents for many years in its rank, but Zavi and Iniesta will remain the two single biggest names forever, which took the team into greatness.
While the latter retired from professional football recently, Zavi left Barcelona long ago for a term in Qatar and even managed to return to Catelonia as a coach.
He won La Liga and Spanish Super Cup during his time as a coach. Finally dismissed Between the poor race of previous season results.
Xavi speaks on its heritage
Talk to France Football through Floorous torch In a recent interview, Barcelona veteran reminded his days as a player in Catalonia and the roller coaster ride was more than years.
He began his legacy as a player in a summary and what his generation did to fully play.
“Our generation 2008-2012 changed the history of Spanish football. This team will be in memory forever, ” The veteran midfielder said.
“For us, Barcelona is not just football, it is more like a religion,” He said.
Xavi speaks on the onset of Barcelona
The former manager began taking the media outlet through his first steps in Barcelona and how he landed in Catalonia, to start.
“When Barcelona called me it was one of the best days of my life,” He reminded.
“From that moment I became a semi-pedestal and all my time and soul became dedicated to football. It was not easy to be at home because my parents were very strict, ” He said.
Xavi made his senior debut for Barcelona under the protection of Louis Van cheek and the coach was emphasized in his abilities that he explains in his abilities in detail:
“Louis Van cheeks believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself.”
“I am a small, light person, especially strong or sharp, but the ‘crufian’ style of playing is compatible with my football skills,” He said why he was a good fit in the system.
Made on the subject of his playing style, Midfield Mestro explained in detail that he was actually defined as a player, as he said:
“My football was based on thinking, finding a free place on the pitch, identifying areas where there were fewer opponents to attack. I was always in the right place, at the right time. ,
“I keep very gratitude for all the coaches who kept this philosophy, especially Louis Van cheeks, who believed in me and kept repeating me that I had an incredible talent,” He said.
Memories of Xavi early 2000s
While progressing the memory lane, Xavi reached to the year 2000 when the single most important event was for Louis Figo’s Real Madrid.
“Louis Figo’s departure in 2000 was a huge shock. Imagine if Lionel Messi, at the peak of his powers, left the club after winning the Bellon D’Or. Figo was our captain, our best player, but he joined our eternal rival. ,
He then opened his memories working with Frank Ridge Card, who took over the club in 2003.
“Frank Dutch came from school and followed a similar approach to Cruf. At least, we again achieved the system that we had lost during the difficult years. ,
First turn for squad
The Barcelona veteran then spoke deeply how the squad changed the victory of a fresh leaf and Champions League in 2006, which established him only for more success.
“It was also a significant turn at an individual level. Hum, the players who grew up in the club were being criticized a lot. ,
“He said that we did not have the mindset to win the title. It was difficult to hear, but after these titles, there was no limit for us,” He said.
Despite this, however, Barcelona had trophy-cums next two years and the team did not pay attention to expectations.
“Two years have passed without winning anything without us, and many names have been broadcast to make previous coaches successful: Brazilian, Portuguese,” Xavi remembered.
“I remember that period well. Kruf was asked who should lead Barcelona, and he replied without any hesitation: ‘Guardiola’, ” He said.
Giving his views how he considered the name of Guardiola as a possible replacement, Zavi said,
“The moment I heard him, I said to myself: ‘With him, we will get great things.” I played with him and I know that he is a person who suffers from perfection, is obsessed with our football philosophy. ,
On his changed mindset and champion
Xavi then went to describe how he crossed his fear of having a thin frame and how he realized that he could compete with someone.
“When I was 24 years old, I felt small and weak. When we played against Milan of Steven Gerard’s Liverpool, Frank Lampard’s Chelsea, or Andrea Peerlo, I thought: ‘Oh, it’s going to be difficult. ,
“But in that season (2009) I realized that I could compete with someone, and I reached the peak of my career. I had full understanding of the game, and the right fitness, and collectively, we reached perfection. This team will always be remembered, ” He said.
He then took the name of Lionel Messi and called him for the greatness that he is already synonymous.
“We had the best generation in Spain’s history, the greatest player in history with Lionel Messi. I do not know that we are the best team of all time, but being in the top four or five teams in history is a huge privilege. ,
The former coach was asked whether he did not regret that he was not winning Bellon D, on which he said,
“I do not consider myself a better player than Lionel Messi or Cristiano, the Bellon D’Or winner of those years.”
“I was a playmaker, but I did not have the ability to win the game on my own. I am proud that the third three times over the podium, even if there is no official award, ” He said.
Xavi also took a moment to remember the prestigious picture of Belon D’Or Podium with Barcelona-crucifix.
“This picture with my friends Andrace and Leo is historical, incredible,” Xavi said.
“This is the victory of football philosophy, and a unique belief of our style and heritage,” He said.
Moving forward for his legacy in the national team, Zavi saw how special his World Cup victory was in 2010.
“At first, no Spanish player had ever raised the World Cup. It was an honor reserved for Italians, German, Brazilian, Argentina. ,
“But with the generation of 2008-2012, we changed this mindset. In the past, reaching the quarter -finals was an achievement. Today, if we do not win, we feel that we are unsuccessful, ” He said.
“We changed the history of Spanish football,” He said proudly.
Speaking in his last years as a Barcelona player, Zavi revealed how he was close to going in 2014, but decided against Luis Enrique after being convinced.
“In 2014, I was thinking about leaving La Lega at home and was a very difficult World Cup with Spain.”
“I thought this was the right time to leave European football at the age of 34. But Luis Enrique said to me: ‘Stay, you will become a leader and we will win everything”, “ He said.
How the decision turned out to be correct, he said: “I had an extraordinary year, the best end for a career that could dream of any player.”
“I am lucky, I have crossed my childhood dreams. Wherever I go to the world, people stop me. They remind me of my time in Barcelona, with the national team, with the World Cup, ” He said.
Then he reflected on his heritage as a player, very few in the history of the game improved him.
“I won every possible title, I enjoyed playing the Champions League Final, World Cup, Euro, like I was a child who was hitting a ball around the park. This feeling is precious, it is an incomparable feeling, it will be with me till the end. ,
In the end, Xavi was asked whether he had any regrets, to which he said: “My deep connection to Barcelona sometimes hurts me, perhaps I was very emotional.”