Well, with the Blaugrana and Al Sadd, Xavi recorded 212 assists in 859 games, adding a further 24 in 131 appearances for the Spanish national team. And when you get to the touchline, it all becomes clear: that tiny maestro is among the finest talents to grace a football pitch — Xavi Hernandez.Despite the sun bearing down, the Spaniard has hardly broken into a sweat.

And his efforts bore fruit when Qatar bagged its maiden AFC Asian Cup title in January this year, serving as a terrific boost going into the Copa America and, of course, the World Cup. I’m very proud to be a part of this project,” he says with conviction.While he doesn’t play as much now, ask him about his most memorable moment with Barcelona and his face lights up. He’s the best player in history!” he reiterates.While Messi might be the best according to him, Dani Alves had once famously said: “You and me, we live on the same planet. I casually ask him, “It’s quite sunny here, eh?” He smirks and says, “It’s hotter in Doha. Iniesta emerged victorious ahead of Xavi but with a narrow margin.

The Spaniard stresses on the vital role played by the Aspire Academy, which is credited with guiding Qatar football to where it is today.“It all started with the Aspire Academy in 2006. Full stats of both players in all time He’s improving with every game and has been incredible over the last 12 years.”He goes on to recollect how he was awestruck the first time he saw Messi play. Andrés Iniesta statistics – 36 years_old Vissel Kobe Midfielder (Centre, Left). Hernández is the first global ambassador for the Generation Amazing programme of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy — the organisation responsible for delivering the infrastructure required for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Amidst them is one player, wearing a white bib, who shows distinctive skills and sublime ball control, and he’s not all that taller than they are. Check out his latest detailed stats including goals, assists, strengths & weaknesses and match ratings.

I think when we won the Champions League,” he says. Their project doesn’t end in 2022, the main objective is the World Cup.

Though he displays a childlike glee, there’s something different about him.

They have a project, good coaches and good ideas.

I’m used to it now.” The thick layer of vermillion on his forehead, somehow, refuses to melt despite the weather that has us scribes clutching our kerchiefs to wipe away beads of sweat.Xavi has been in Qatar since 2015, the year he ended his 17-year-long association with Barcelona. Xavi has been an integral part of national team of Spain at various age stages.

International Career. "Subscribe to Sportstar Digital and Support Quality JournalismFull access to what our Star columnists have to say.Full access to over 1000 magazines from July 2001 onwards.Get your daily dose of Sportstar with handpicked stories delivered right to your inbox!Get your daily dose of Sportstar with handpicked stories delivered right to your inbox!To continue enjoying Sportstar, you can turn off your adblocker or subscribe to Sportstar Plus.

On this day ten years ago, Andrés Iniesta became legend by scoring the winner to help Spain win the 2010 World Cup final and lift the trophy for the first time. His level is amazing. Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Busquets, David Villa, …

I was surprised because everybody told me about his level, but when you see him training, it’s incredible.

Latest on Vissel Kobe midfielder Andrés Iniesta including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN First name Andrés Last name Iniesta Luján Nationality Spain Date of birth 11 May 1984 Age 36 Country of birth Spain Place of birth Fuentealbilla Position

But hey, there were four of those! Xavi would also combine with Iniesta to lead Spain to its first FIFA World Cup triumph in 2010, sandwiched between successive UEFA Euro Championship titles in 2008 and 2012. Born in Terrassa, Catalonia’s third largest city, he joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy at the age of 11. Nic from FCBNews did a poll to find the second best Barca player after Messi; not surprisingly that soon become a head-on clash between two of Barca's little midfield brains. “My most memorable moment? So, the debate rages on; who is better Xavi or Iniesta. I’m a passer and I need my team-mates, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol. “It was when I scored against Real Madrid in our 5-0 win at Camp Nou,” he states with ease. We had that amazing generation and that’s why I enjoyed a lot and we enjoyed a lot of success,” he reminisces.Talking about Messi, he says: “Messi is becoming a better player every day. If you are really wondering who is the better out of these two, then I say you know your football. All Rights Reserved.Right-footed XI vs left-footed XI: Who would win a match between the greatest players ever?Ronaldo, Messi & Neymar: Who has the best mins-per-goal ratio in the Champions League?Messi vs Ronaldo: Arda Turan makes controversial claim over the GOAT debateBarcelona have been offered the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from JuventusThe touching moment Sir Alex Ferguson waited for Cristiano Ronaldo like a proud dad XAVI or SCHOLES?

Former Spanish football star Xavi Hernández during a football game with Indian children, in Mumbai on March 18. “It was unbelievable. He’s unbelievable and in my opinion, he is the best player in history. They have a very good generation of talented young players.”Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, congratulates Xavi, captain of Al Sadd on winning the 2017 Emir Cup at Khalifa International Stadium on May 19, 2017, in Doha, Qatar.