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XAVI PRAISES SCHOLES

The Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has said that he regards the Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes to be the best midfielder in the world over the last two decades. It is an extremely surprising comment to come from the Barcelona midfielder, who is often regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world. The 32-year-old Spanish international has been instrumental in not only helping the Barcelona team win numerous titles over the last four seasons, but he has also been extremely good for the Spanish national team as well. Paul Scholes has had a lot of success with Manchester United, but they are not comparable with the achievements of the Spaniard.

Yet, Xavi feels that Paul Scholes is the most complete midfielder he has seen over the last two decades. This is because he can do everything that is necessary from an attacking midfielder – pass, shoot, and score goals. Scholes was regarded as one of the ideal example when it came to a midfielder scoring goals because of his timed runs into the box. He is also known for a ferocious long-range effort, while his exceptional passing skills also needs to be mentioned. Due to his age, Scholes has now been playing as a defence midfielder for Manchester United with the occasional foray forward.

“In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen – the most complete – is Scholes. It’s a different culture that values different things. Here if they see you are afraid when you are in possession then you get whistled. It’s the world in reverse. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything,” said 32-year-old Barcelona midfielder. The former French midfielder Zidane also has paid tribute to Paul Scholes in the past.

XAVI BACKS CASILLAS

The Barcelona midfielder Xavi has said that he feels that the Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas should be one of the candidates capable of winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or award this year. No goalkeeper has previously lifted this award, but the Barcelona midfielder reckons that it is time people start to appreciate the achievements of Iker Casillas both at club and international level. The 30-year-old goalkeeper has been hugely successful in his career after winning all the major trophies with Real Madrid, while he also has one World Cup and two European Championship titles with the Spanish national team.

This makes him one of the most successful footballers in the world. As a result, the jury that gives out in the FIFA Ballon d’Or every year to the most successful player should take into consideration the achievements of Iker Casillas. Normally, defenders and goalkeepers do not win this award, but the former Real Madrid and Italy defender Cannavaro is the only person to have lifted this award. Iker Casillas comes on the back of a hugely successful season that not only saw him lift the league title with Real Madrid, but also the European championship with the Spanish national team as well.

“It’s true that he’s a bit boring. He is the type of player who unites a team, though. I don’t think there’s any need to discuss his footballing qualities. Evidently Iker should be among the candidates to win the Ballon d’Or. I think that had a lot to do with it. There was more tension than was normal and I’m sure that the way we eased that tension helped us win this prize. We just spoke about the issues and then that was it,” said Xavi in recent interview. Real Madrid and Barcelona share an extreme rivalry that stretches many years.

XAVI PLOTS ANOTHER 5 YEARS

The Spanish midfielder Xavi has said that he wants to be an integral part of the Barcelona team for many years to come. The 32-year-old has lifted almost every major trophy with both the club and the national team. Due to the numerous injury problems he has suffered in the last two seasons, it has been thought that he is coming to the end of his career. However, the Spaniard has said that he does not want to leave Barcelona as of yet and is willing to carry on playing at the highest level for as long as possible. He has also said that he still feels he can provide a lot to the current Barcelona team.

The experienced midfielder made his debut for the Barcelona team many seasons ago and he has been an integral part of the team in the last 15 seasons. He has played more than 100 appearances for the national team, while he holds numerous records for the club team as well. These, however, have not prevented his motivation to win more titles becoming lesser. As a result, Xavi has said that he wants to help Barcelona win more titles in the future, while he can also not imagine him playing for another club.

“I hope to do things right this season. To carry on being important for the team and to win titles. I am proud of the work I have done but football has no memory and you have to keep proving yourself day after day. I just want to have a good season and be useful. I have no intention of retiring from the Spanish national team. I still enjoy it as much as I did the first day,” said the midfielder after the opening day 5-1 win over Real Sociedad is.

XAVI PRAISES ZLATAN

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has heaped praise on his former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic by saying that he is one of the best in the world – up ther with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The former AC Milan striker recently completed a £ 20 million move to the French club PSG. He has become one of the highest earning footballers in the world as a result of this move. The French club PSG were taking on the Spanish club Barcelona in a friendly match. After the match, the Spanish midfielder Xavi has said that he feels his former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who spent one season at the camp Nou, is one of the best footballers in the world.

The 30-year-old striker was extremely successful in his one season with the Spanish club, but after falling out with the manager Guardiola, he had to be sold to AC Milan. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was one of the expensive signings for Barcelona in recent seasons after they offered around £ 60 million in total value for the striker to Inter Milan. Even though he helped them lifted the league title, Zlatan Ibrahimovic never settled at the camp Nou. Xavi is one of the players who has been instrumental in Barcelona’s success last season.

The Swedish striker was once again at his best when the two clubs met each other in the friendly match. He helped them draw the match 2-2 amidst all the odds. “He is a great signing. He performed fantastically for us and he is a top level player. He can bring a lot to them, and is the signing they needed to go on and win the French title. I don’t think he had a disappointing season [at Barcelona]. We won La Liga and got to the semi-finals of the Champions League, he scored important goals and we had a good understanding with him on the pitch and in the dressing room,” said Xavi.