FCBARCELONA.CAT

01.12.2009 12:11

Xavi's award, the recognition of style

Jordi Clos

Xavi Hernández has become the first ever Catalan to figure in the top three of the Ballon d'Or. The midfielder is a perfect example of the European Champions stylish football.

Three of the top four in this years Ballon d'Or - Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, came up through the club's academy at La Masia, a clear recognition of Barca's captivating style. In Xavi's case the award is also a milestone for the club as he is the first local player to figure in the top three of the award.’.

The complete midfielder

29-year-old Xavi Hernández is reaching the peak of the game and as well as winning the treble with Barca last season, he also picked up a winners medal at the European Championships with Spain in 2008 and is key to the national team's hopes in South Africa in the summer. Xavi joined the club when he was 11 and at the age of 18 he emerged as the natural successor to Guardiola as the team's playmaker. As his career has progressed, Xavi has moved away from Guardiola's more defensive role and become a dangerous attacking midfielder. The team's vice captain, Xavi controls the game like nobody else, never seems to lose the ball and his brilliant vision and passing see him setting up endless chances for his forwards.

Honours

Since making his debut in 1998, Xavi has won virtually every possible honour. Including two Champions Leagues, four Spanish Leagues, a Spanish Cup, a European Super Cup and three Spanish Super Cups. He's always been one of the first names on the team sheet with each of the club's managers during the last decade and is the player who's appeared the second most times for the club – 489 times, during which he's scored 46 goals. He is the living history of this club.

Individual Awards

As well as wining with the team, Xavi has also received numerous individual award including Best Player of the 2008 European Championships, finalist in the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, 2008/09 Best Midfielder in the Champions Legaue and the LFF's Best Midfieder in the Spanish League. He was recently voted the world's best midfielder by the IFFHS.