Xavi, a year at the top

The Barça midfielder is 31 today, and has become a living legend at a club where he is currently enjoying some amazing form.

Xavi Hernández represents everything that is good about the Barça philosophy. He is the lynchpin of midfield, like the conductor of an orchestra, and has delighted the world with his exceptional vision and unquestionable dedication to the club he loves. The player with the most appearances ever for the club is 31 today.

Titles galore

Xavi operates with the precision of a GPS machine and plays the game by memory. The Barcelona successes of 2010 cannot be understood without considering his contributions. He played an active role in the way the league was won with 99 points and was simply outstanding with his assists for Messi in the Spanish Super Cup win against Sevilla. The Spanish victory at the World Cup in South Africa was also thanks, to a large extent, to the expert distribution of the ball by one of the finest playmakers the game has ever known.

Individual recognition
Xavi is an exceptional, unique and inimitable footballer, and this has been recognised in all manner of ways in recent months. He won the Premi Catalunya de l’Esport, the Premio Nacional de Deporte awarded by the Consejo Superior de Deportes, the Prince of Asturias Award along with his Spain team mates, he was named Sportsman of the Year at the Mundo Deportivo 2010 Gala and was one of the three finalists for the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich