Good Bye Messi, Hello Xavi
Lionel Messi has returned to Argentina after crashing out of the World Cup, this might have been a blessing in disguise for the player considering his reputation as the best football player on the planet is being ripped apart by one of his team mates.
People who don’t know much about football probably haven’t heard of Xavi Hernandez. The Spanish midfield maestro doesn’t lead one of the most popular lifestyles, like Ronaldo or Beckahm.
He will not be one of the high profile players in the World Cup final that is scheduled to take place on Sunday between Netherlands and Spain. In fact he won’t even be the most popular name on the Spanish team.
However Xavi Hernandez is by far one of the finest players in the world at this current moment in time. He is also undoubtedly one of the best performers at the World Cup so far. He has without a doubt been far better than Messi or Ronaldo and even better then the face of Spanish football at this year’s tournament David Villa.
Xavi and Messi both currently play together at Barcelona, where the Argentinean gets most of the spotlight. It’s his skill, flair, tricks and speed that entice the crowd and urge them to cheer him on.
However at this outing of the World Cup Xavi Hernandez has raised the bar to a level that was never before seen. At the same time he has managed to show the consistency and performance levels that have made him the best midfielder in Europe over the past couple of years.
With players like Messi and Ronaldo you can see the flair and brilliance but with players like Xavi you have to read between the lines to notice the greatness. Xavi prefers being simple and effective rather than using flair or skills to beat his man. His pin point cross onto Puyol’s head in the match against Germany. Ian Chadband who is an award winning football writer has reffered to Xavi as being the ‘most under-appreciated genius in the world of sport’.
Xavi was named man of the match by the millions of fans around the world. The fact that he was named man of the match without showing any flashy moves or pace, could simply mean that the world is finally starting to take note of his brilliance.
The German coach Loew is quoted to have said before his sides defeat to the Spanish, "Xavi is the centre of Spain’s perfect spine," It was this spine that held together the Spanish team and refused to go down to the constant attack of the Germans.
The Spanish will be hoping that Xavi Hernandez, continues this form when they go on to face Netherlands in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2010. It is needless to say that if Xavi does manage to maintain his form and provide those intricate killer passes that he has been providing throughout the tournament that they would be the key to the Spanish
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