BerkeleyBernie
Senior Member
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What's this list?
Metaphysical
Bomb Dropper
KhaledBarca
New member
BerkeleyBernie
Senior Member
Yes. However, Xavi was key, with a brilliant reception and turn into the box from Alves' pass. Cesc received the rebound and popped it to Messi.
lessthanjake
New member
How good do you guys think Xavi will be considered in a historical sense?
I personally think conventional thought is changing on this. After 2009, I don't think Xavi was considered an all-time great. He had finished 5th in Ballon D'or voting in 2008, 3rd in 2009, won the Best Player award at Euro2008, and won the Champions League twice. However, he seemed likely to go down on a similar level as a player like Pirlo (and maybe even that was stretching it). Winning the World Cup really helped his case, but the dominance of Barca over the last year and a half has really changed things, I think. People truly think this might be the best team ever. Furthermore, while Messi rightly takes many of the plaudits for this, the incredible possession statistics and unique style of Barcelona has largely been attributed to Xavi. To be considered the key man in implementing a revolutionary style that was historically successful truly makes you an all time great.
And of course Xavi is not done yet. I think it would be silly to assume Xavi will win any more La Liga or Champions League trophies, but I certainly would not bet against it. I'd wager that Barcelona will probably win another Champions League and probably 2 more league titles before Xavi hangs it up. If that happened, Xavi would have 8 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles, a World Cup, a European Championship, as well as various smaller trophies (such as Copa Del Rey, 2 Club World Cups, and various Super Cups). That's incredibly impressive.
I think in the end Xavi will be considered on the same level as players like Zidane. Not that he's a similar player to Zidane (he's not); I just mean that he will be in the same breath when thinking of the very best midfielders of all time.
I personally think conventional thought is changing on this. After 2009, I don't think Xavi was considered an all-time great. He had finished 5th in Ballon D'or voting in 2008, 3rd in 2009, won the Best Player award at Euro2008, and won the Champions League twice. However, he seemed likely to go down on a similar level as a player like Pirlo (and maybe even that was stretching it). Winning the World Cup really helped his case, but the dominance of Barca over the last year and a half has really changed things, I think. People truly think this might be the best team ever. Furthermore, while Messi rightly takes many of the plaudits for this, the incredible possession statistics and unique style of Barcelona has largely been attributed to Xavi. To be considered the key man in implementing a revolutionary style that was historically successful truly makes you an all time great.
And of course Xavi is not done yet. I think it would be silly to assume Xavi will win any more La Liga or Champions League trophies, but I certainly would not bet against it. I'd wager that Barcelona will probably win another Champions League and probably 2 more league titles before Xavi hangs it up. If that happened, Xavi would have 8 La Liga titles, 4 Champions League titles, a World Cup, a European Championship, as well as various smaller trophies (such as Copa Del Rey, 2 Club World Cups, and various Super Cups). That's incredibly impressive.
I think in the end Xavi will be considered on the same level as players like Zidane. Not that he's a similar player to Zidane (he's not); I just mean that he will be in the same breath when thinking of the very best midfielders of all time.
Myrmecophile
Mr. Japes
veryfatchocobo
New member
He'll certainly be considered better than Pirlo. Probably even above Zidane.
Myrmecophile
Mr. Japes
He'll be considered Spain's greatest ever player and amongst the handful of truly elite central-midfielders in footballing history when he retires.
If Barca retain the CL this year (or in the next few years) and Spain win the Euros, it'd be hard to argue against him being the best CM ever.
If Barca retain the CL this year (or in the next few years) and Spain win the Euros, it'd be hard to argue against him being the best CM ever.
por supuesto
KNUG
Just imagine what they will say about Toni Kroos.
Yugi
Active member
*ba dum tssssssssss*
Het_fenomeen_Messi
New member
yeah becomes when a team wins the lot, it means 1 player will be the best ever. Geez. Learn how to differentiate between player and a team
Trickykid
Active member
In terms of club thophies, Zidane isn't even fit to wash Xavis sweaty match worn undies. When it comes to personal glory though it's of course an entirely different matter, but I suppose much of it comes down to different playstyles, goals scored and generel flashyness. Zidane was absolutely amazing, even though I had a hard time enjoying seeing him play for obvious reasons, but Xavi really should be regarded in the same exclusive category of best midfielders ever. I have no doubt in my mind that Xavi has meant more for Barcas succes than Zidane ever did for any of his clubs. It actually surprised me he just won 1 league title and 1 Chl title during his 5 seasons at Real Madrid.
Regarding that assist list, it really surprises me that he only assisted Eto'o 11 times. He scored 130ish goals for crying out loud?
Regarding that assist list, it really surprises me that he only assisted Eto'o 11 times. He scored 130ish goals for crying out loud?
Trickykid
Active member
Perhaps you should learn to value the importance of a player to his team.
Myrmecophile
Mr. Japes
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