The player I consider the best midfielder in the world, Xavi Hernandez, will make history for Barcelona tomorrow night when he equals the 549 appearances made by Migueli in the 80's. He is a product of the Barcelona youth system and has been arguably the most influential player at the club for the last 6 years. Although Messi finishes the moves and recieves the acclaim, Xavi is happy to command the centre of the pitch, a master of passing, creating space when there appears to be none and setting up goals. He first made his debut in 1998 but it was the following season when he replaced current manager Pep Guardiola as the club's first choice centre midfielder.
He was won every team trophy in his career and he had 29 assists in Barcelona's treble winning season in 2008-2009. Last Summer he won the World Cup for Spain where yet again he was the vital playmaker for the team. In the tournament he completed 599 out of 669 passes attempted which was the competetion high. He is one of three finalists in this years Balon d'Or Trophy alongside his team mates Iniesta and Messi. He will once again be a vital cog in the Barcelona machine as they attempt to win back the Champions League trophy and defend their La Liga title. There are not many one club players around any more as money seems to be too powerful for most mortals. Xavi however, seems destined to stay at Barcelona for the rest of his career and if so he may well go down as one of the greatest players in the club's history.
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