SIt happened on August 18 during the 98/99 preseason. Barcelona played the first leg of the Super Cup against Mallorca at the Luis Sitjar. To the Barcelona team He was trained by Louis Van Gaal at the timewhich in the previous season had already closely followed Xavi’s evolutionsa small midfielder who stood out in the subsidiary.
Like all self-respecting Dutch, he liked to give young people the alternative. And I did not hesitate to put him in the starting eleven in that match. “He was a boy who had many qualities, but what I liked the most about him at that moment was his orientation in possession of the ball and his passing accuracy in terms of speed”, recalls Van Gaal in a conversation with MARCA.
What I liked the most about him was his orientation in possession of the ball and the precision in the pass in terms of speed
debut and goal
Although Barcelona lost in Mallorca, Xavi left his mark with a goal. A good omen. From there, the stratospheric career of one of the best footballers, for many the best, that Spanish football has produced was forged. In that first season he was halfway between the subsidiary and the first team with whom he came to play 26 games. The seasons went by, some very tough and without titles, until Barcelona became the best team on the continent led, with Messi’s permission, by this kid from Tarrasa. “He hasn’t surprised me how far he’s come. He was a very good player. Despite his short stature and physique!” Van Gaal points out with a smile.
Xavi, giving instructions to his players.
bench time
The titles arrived, with Bara and with the national team, with which he has won everything possible. He went to Qatar where he finished his career as a footballer and I started the coaching path which has allowed him to return to the Camp Nou bench where in his first full season he has won the League. “He has had a good start. His great tactical vision will help him a lot on his way. I will be very aware of everything he does,” concludes Louis Van Gaal.
