Xavier Hernández i Creus (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈʧabi erˈnandeθ]; born 25 January 1980 in Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain), commonly known as Xavi, is a Spanish footballer who currently plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club Barcelona. Widely considered among the finest playmakers in world football, 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 and was one of the five finalists for the 2007-08 FIFA World Player of the Year. In all he has been capped 84 times for the Spanish national team and has played for his country in the 2000 Summer Olympics, 2002 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2004, 2006 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2008, and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Xavi is a product of Barcelona's youth system and has spent all of his footballing life at the Camp Nou since the age of 11. He quickly made his way through the youth and reserve teams and was a key member of Jordi Gonzalvo's Barcelona B team that won promotion to the Segunda División.
His progression through the teams earned him a first