Xavi - The greatest Spanish player #BlogchatterA2Z

Xavier Hernández Creus was born on 25 January 1980. He is popular as Xavi (his nickname).

He is a former Spanish football player who is  currently the manager of Qatar Stars League ( a football club ) . and is highly regarded for his humble personality and team ethis . He is also considered by many to be the greatest Spanish player ever.

Xavi joined La Masia, the Barcelona youth academy, at age 11, and made his first-team debut against Mallorca in August 1998.

Xavi is the first player in the club's history to play 150 European and FIFA Club World Cup matches combined.

With Spain, Xavi won the FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999, and the Olympic silver medal at the 2000 Olympics and won many awards.

After the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Xavi announced his retirement from international football .

Talking about his early life , he was born in Terrassa (Barcelona).

Although he was initially inspired by compatriot playmaker Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, as a child Xavi also watched a lot of English football, and looked up to midfielders John Barnes and Paul Gascoigne.

"I've been lucky enough to be brought up on the Barcelona ethos. Which has taught me the value of being part of a team. 'Today for you, tomorrow for me.' Those qualities are essential for life in general." ~Xavi