XAVI

XAVI


Xavier Hernández i Creus (born 25 January 1980 in Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia), commonly known as Xavi, is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for Spanish La Liga club Barcelona. Widely considered among the finest playmakers in world football, Xavi was named the official Man of the Match of the 2009 Champions League Final as he helped Barcelona defeat Manchester United to win their third European Cup. He was named Best Player by UEFA at Euro 2008[2] and was one of the five finalists for the 2007-08 FIFA World Player of the Year. In all he has been capped more than 70 times for the Spanish national team and has played for his country in the 2000 Summer Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2004, 2006 FIFA World Cup,UEFA Euro 2008, and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.


Personal information

Full name Xavier Hernández i Creus
Date of birth 25 January 1980 (1980-01-25) (age 29)
Place of birth Terrassa, Spain
Height 1.70m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Playing position Midfielder

Club information

Current club Barcelona
Number 6

Youth career

1991–1997 Barcelona

Senior career

Years Club Apps† (Gls)
1997–1999 Barcelona B 55 (3)
1998– Barcelona 323 (32)

National team

1997 Spain U17 10 (2)
1997–1998 Spain U18 10 (0)
1999 Spain U20 6 (2)
1998–2001 Spain U21 25 (7)
2000 Spain U23 6 (2)
2000– Spain 80 (8)
1998– Catalonia 7 (2)

Honours and awards

FC Barcelona

* La Liga (4): 1998–99, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09
* Copa del Rey (1): 2008–09
* UEFA Champions League (2): 2005–06, 2008–09
* Supercopa de España (3): 2005, 2006, 2009
* UEFA Super Cup (1): 2009

Spain U-20

* FIFA U-20 World Cup : 1999

Spain U-23

* Olympic Games: 2000 Silver Medal

Spain

* UEFA European Football Championship: 2008

Individual

* Don Balón Award for Breakthrough Player of the Year : 1999
* Don Balón Award for Spanish Player of the Year in La Liga: 2005 [10]
* Euro 2008 Player of the Tournament
* FIFPro World XI : 2007-08
* IFFHS World's best playmaker: 2008
* UEFA Team of the Year: 2008, 2009
* FIFA.com Team of the Year: 2008
* UEFA Champions League 2008-09 Top assister
* UEFA Club Best Midfielder: 2008-09