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Javi Rodríguez: a quality recruit

Javi Rodríguez signed for Barça Senseit at the beginning of the 2006-07 season. He came from the top flight of 5-a-side football to a club that had just been promoted to the Division of Honour and the fact is this move has proved to be a big success.

“I’m not used to looking up”. Javi Rodríguez made this comment many times during the season. He’d been used to enjoying the leading positions in the league table and looking down at the teams below him. Changing that to having to fight it out in the bottom four places in the table was not easy for him.

However, he had no doubts about his decision to join Barça and the combination of his confidence and leadership skills with the enthusiasm and motivation of a group of players hungry for success proved to be a big hit. Barça Senseit stayed up in the Division of Honour, despite having to struggle.

From the top flight

Javi Rodríguez joined Barça Senseit in the summer of 2006 with a proven record of success in the top flight. He learned his trade – and won most of his titles - with Playas de Castelló. However, he didn’t hesitate to put nine successful years behind him and take on the ambitious challenge of leading Barça.

The four-year deal he agreed with Barça had a clear objective: to consolidate the team in the Division of Honour then convert it into one of the major sides in the sport. His drive and character made an immediate impact on the squad. However, on the playing side he was unable to start the season as he would have wished.

Injury problems

Javi Rodríguez struggled with a left ankle injury at the beginning of the season but with rest was able to help keep the team up.

When the season finished, Javi had to have an operation on his left ankle and was sidelined for a month, which meant that he missed the Copa Catalunya. He then took a month’s holiday, which has left him ready for following season.