FCBARCELONA.CAT

14.08.2008 11:00

Xavi in the limelight

Sergi Nogueras

With the Wisla game, Xavi Hernández has mow played 421 official games in the Barça shirt, equalling Amor as the third player in Barça’s history with most appearances.

Only 28 years old, and a few days away from the 10th anniversary of his debut, Xavi Hernández has become the third player who has played most for Barça, equalling Guillermo Amor. The Barça no.6 is a permanent fixture in the Barça line-up these last few seasons and this has allowed him to reach this historical figure with even more time ahead to improve on it.

42 games per season

In the last 10 seasons he’s been with the first team, Xavi Hernández has played an average of 42 official games per season. This average could be even higher if it weren’t for injuries such as that which he suffered to his knee in the 2005/06 season. That year Xavi could only play 16 league games, 4 Champion’s League games and 2 in the Spanish Super cup. Last season, on the other hand was the busiest for Xavi as he played 54 official games with Barça (35 in ‘la Liga’, 12 in the Champion’s League and 7 in the King’s Cup-‘Copa del Rey).

Migueli and Rexach

Two footballers that surpass him in this honorary ranking are Migueli and Rexach. The first having played 548 games between 1973 and 1989 and the second finished off with 452 between 1965 and 1981. Therefore, if Xavi continues at the same rate as in the last few seasons, he could take over Rexach in the middle of this coming season.

In 7 competitions

Xavi has played in the Barça strip in 7 different competitions. Apart from ‘la liga’ he has also played in the ‘Copa del Rey’, the Champion’s League, the U.E.F.A. Cup, the Spanish Super cup, the European Super cup and the club World Cup

A great track record

During this time Xavi Hernámdez has helped win 6 titles in the Barça shirt: 3 ’Ligas’ (1998/99, 2004/05 and 2005/06), 2 Spanish Super Cups (2005/06 and 2006/07) and 1 Champion’s League (2005/06).