Profile - Xavi Hernandez

It's time for our "6" -Xavi. It's hard to write about him, because he is one of the greatest players in the world and he is one of a kind man. So I will try to do my best with his profile, but it's impossible to write good enough piece about Xavi. Let's start with picture, than some data and interesting facts and MORE photos.




Position: midfielder
Place of birth: Terrassa (Barcelona)
Date: 25-01-1980
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 68 kg
Debut: RCD Mallorca-FC Barcelona (2-1, Spanish Super Cup), 18/08/1998
Note: Xavi in FCB wears number "6" but in Spanish team "8" ( Iniesta is "8" in Barcelona and "6" in Spanish national team).

Xavi has spent all his footballing life at the Nou Camp, having joined Barcelona when he was only 11 years old. The progress he made was always very quick and in season 97-98 he moved up from youth team to Barca B.

Xavi's dream of making his official debut with the first team squad became true when he played in the Spanish Super Cup against Majorca in the summer of 1998. He was in the starting line up and scored: a better debut he could not have asked for.


A cologne: Clinique’s Happy.
A car: Audi Q5 or Q7.
A watch: I don’t wear them. Puyol’s.
A pending trip: India.
It embarrasses you to… not a lot of things, I’m not easily embarrassed.
I envy women for… being upright and honest, and for their coherency.
You would go have a beer with… my lifelong friends and teammates.
What kind of work wouldn’t you like to do? Surgeon.

A goal: A bicycle kick by Van Basten with Ajax.
A football genius: Maradona and Messi.
A coach: All that I’ve had.
First stadium that you went to: Camp Nou.
Your first ball: Mikasa.
A game of Spain’s that you remember: the final of the Eurocopa. (note that this Q&A was canducted before World Cupo 2010;)
Your first kit: Java Tarrassa.
A stadium that you would like to play in that’s not your team’s: San Mamés and the Bernabéu.

Books, cards or videogames?
I’m more into cards – a bit of poker right now. But if I have to play videogames, I’ll play.
What gets on your nerves?
When you’re telling me something and you stop in the middle. You know, when someone asks you a question, and you ask them, “so where is this going?” and they reply, “I’ll tell you later.” Tell me or don’t ask me!
Do you remember what was your first kiss like?
Yes! It was a spectacular experience.
What do you play on Play?
Nothing, I don’t play. I play futbolín.
How many watches do you own?
A few, and all were gifts. I’ve never bought one in my life. I don’t use them, they bother me.
What were your first boots like?
Patrick Silvers. They were really trendy…
Who did you ask for an autograph when you were a kid?
N’Kono, one day when Espanyol played in Terrassa.
What is your dog’s name?
Tiro, but he doesn’t live with me.
Which player has kicked you the most?
I don’t get too many kicks.
What’s the last TV series you’ve become addicted to?
Uf! Everything! From The Fresh Prince of Bel Air to El Cor de la Ciutat. I like comedies.
(English translation from conlaroja.wordpress.com)
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 Champions League-title. He was named Player of the Tournament by UEFA at UEFA Euro 2008[2]. In all he has been capped 98 times for the Spanish national team, with whom he won the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He is regularly cited as one of the best midfielders currently playing.

Our "midfield maestro" or "the Brain" is a winner of all major titles at both international and club level. His famous 360 turn is called pelopina. Xavi is called Pelopo: Xavi: “my friend Miguel Ángel started calling me that when we played together in the cantera of Barça.” Miguel Ángel: “Pelopo is a reference to the hair on a part of the body that you can imagine… you know, pelo-po, de po… [note: the po... stands for a five letter word that is Spanish for a certain part of the male anatomy.] It was an affectionate nickname that we used in my neighborhood. It resulted from some stupid thing that we did and it’s still used now.” He gets angry when you call him “Pelopo.”

ok, time for some photos;)







his smile...











some other photos...











and just "few" photos from games:





Nice video about Xavi ( I know that there are 1000 videos about Xavi, but it's imposibble to post everything in one post;P)

International break, weekend and back to training

Sorry for no posting last few days! Due to break in LaLiga and CL and games with national teams there were not many intersting things to share everyday so I decided to post them all in one piece.

Firday:
FC Barcelona concluded their training schedule for the week on Friday morning as nine players took to the pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva. José Manuel Pinto was joined by Éric Abidal, Seydou Keita and five youth teamers (goalkeeper Jordi Masip, central defender Marc Muniesa, who is suspended for the game against Tenerife this weekend, full-back Carles Planas, midfielder Víctor Vázquez and forward Benja)







Del Bosque’s World Cup winning Spanish team beat Lithuania 3-1 on Friday night, with five Barça players in the starting line up . Llorente (2) and Silva were on target for Spain, with Sernas getting Lithuania’s goal.

Argentina took on Japan in an International (0-1) friendly in Saitama earlier today. FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Javier Mascherano and Gaby Milito all took part in the game.

On Friday also so called "Operation New Grass at Camp Nou" ended with success, it was finished in 24H. Impressive:)


Friday was the 100th day since Sandro Rosell became president of Barça. (read more)


Saturday:
The Barça players have been given a weekend off as Pep Guardiola revealed that Friday's session would be the last and that with no first-team game they could relax and recuperate.

On Saturday evening, the Spanish Under-21 side narrowly beat Croatia 2-1 in the first leg of the play-offs for a spot in the U-21 European Championship (Denmark 2011). The game, played in Burgos, featured Blaugrana players Bojan, Jeffren and midfielder Thiago Alcantara, whose wonderful assist led to Spain’s first goal. Some details of the match are below.



Xavi spoke with BarcaTV and on official website of the club you can read great interviev with our great midfielder (click to read)

Club President Sandro Rosell has been attending the XXXIII Trobada Mundial de Penyes in Donostia this weekend, along with representatives from more than 200 Supporters Clubs.




Throughout the month of September, members, Supporters Club members and fans have been voting between the two options presented at the World Congress held during the Gamper Day for a new mascot. Of the 1.673 votes cast, 868 went for the “Avi del Barça” surrounded by his grandchildren. Gemma Larrègola, the designer of the Toons, announced the result and explained: “so many of you have voted and we are very happy with that. This mascot represents the family and the spirit we are enjoying in this Trobada”.



Sunday:

Ramallets-Valdés a meeting of two legends - wonderful article on official website and great photos of two legengs (click to read more)




And finally a GAME:)
Barça B extended their great home start to the season, chalking up their fourth win at the Mini Estadi with a 3-1 win over Tenerife, thanks to strikes from Jonathan Soriano, Nolito and Carmona.






Monday:
The squad were back in training this evening with the Argentineans Messi, Mascherano and Milito back from international duty, joining Pinto, Abidal, Maxwell and Keita from the first team squad to prepare for Saturday’s clash with Valencia.
The first to make it back safe and sound were the Argentineans Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano and Gaby Milito who were involved in their country’s 1-0 defeat to Japan last weekend.
B team youngsters Masip, Benja, Edu Oriol, Muniesa and Planas made up the group, with Xavi and Pedro continuing to work on getting over their respective injury problems. Pedro limited himself to some gentle jogging around the training pitch.






Other news:

Víctor Valdés, Carles Puyol, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta and David Villa are in Glasgow for Tuesday’s European Championship qualifier.

Lionel Messi signs for Italian fashion house Dolce & Gabbana


Some nice quotes:
Mascherano: "What do Messi and I have in common, apart from both being introvert? Hmmmm... We don't like the press." [don balon]


Xavi Hernandez:“It seems like all the responsibility is on Bojan’s shoulders and we all have to help him. He’s scored goals all his life and I’m sure he’ll continue to do so.” speaking in an interview for Barça TV.

Antoni Ramallets “records are there to be beaten and I’ll be very happy if a guy like Victor takes it off me". for BarcaTV

Busi:"I play in a position that demands hard work and generosity and little glamour, but I like it. It’s my job and I like it. I would rather intercept and steal 10 balls than shoot. That’s what I’m here for, to make everyone else’s jobs easier." - El Pais

Busi:"I would be awfully stupid, though, to think I know it all. My father (a keeper who won the European Cup with Barca at Wembley in 1992) used to say, 'Work, work again then work even more if you want to win'."- El Pais

Busi: "In attacking teams like Barça or Spain you need a player like me who will do the dirty work so others can shine"- El Pais

Yaya Toure: "Mascherano is an excellent player. He just needs time. It’s not easy to adapt to Barcelona’s different way of playing." [catalunya radio]

Yaya Toure: "I’m sure I’ll return to Barcelona. Not as a tourist, but to play. I feel Catalan." [catalunya radio]


Ok I think it's enough for today:)