Before the Blaugranas’ La Liga matchup with Athletic Club in Bilbao on Sunday, FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez referred to former midfield partner and playing colleague Andres Iniesta as “the greatest talent I’ve ever seen in Spanish football”.
Because “Don Andres,” the Spanish goal scorer in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands, participated in his 1000th match this past weekend, losing 2-0 to Emirates FC, Xavi was questioned about the player.
“Iniesta is the best Spanish football player I’ve ever seen,” the author said. Thousands of games is a large number. Regarding his fellow La Masia alumnus, whom he also referred to as “one of the best players in the history of football,” Xavi added, “I admire him and I love him very much, he is a great friend.”
The best Spanish football player I’ve ever seen is Iniesta. A thousand games is a large number. Xavi expressed his admiration and devotion for his fellow La Masia alumni, referring to him as “one of the greatest football players in history” and calling him a great friend.
As Iniesta continues to play, Xavi is, of course, well into his management career, which has been characterized by stints at Al-Sadd and Barca, the club that has given him his entire life.
Despite Blaugrana’s improved form, he has stated that he will leave his position as head coach on June 30. He emphasized on Saturday that his thoughts are unchanged.
“No, not at all. Nothing has changed as of yet. Nothing is wrong. We’re approaching it cautiously and considering the Athletic Club. Nothing more exists,” Xavi said.
“As of right now, nothing has changed. When pressed again to remark on the subject, he subsequently stated, “Everything is the same.”
Nevertheless, he acknowledges that his team has improved and now appears to be “more responsible, more competitive, [and] with more dynamism.”
But Xavi insisted, “We have to show it in every game.”