FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.12.2009 13:22

Xavi set to make it 100 Champions League games

Jaume Marcet

If he plays on Wednesday night against Kiev, Xavi Hernández will appear in is 100th Champions League game. He made his European debut in the 1998-99 season and has scored a total of 6 goals in his 99 games so far.

Just about to turn 30, Xavi is at the height of his career and he continues to set records. This Wednesday appearance will put him 17th on the all time Champions League appearances table. Henry with 111 games so far is the only player in the squad who's put in more games, whilst Paolo Maldini still holds the all time record with 140 CL games.

Two winners medals

Since his debut in the 98/99 season against Manchester United, Xavi Hernández has only missed one edition of the competition, when in Frank Rijkaard's first year in charge (2003/04) Barca played in the UEFA Cup. Xavi has two winners medals from 2006 and 2009. In Paris he was on the bench, but in Rome he played a major part in Barca's win, being voted Player of the Final, setting up Barca's second goal from Messi and hitting the post with a free kick.

Six Goals

Xavi's first Champions league goal came against Hertha Berlin in March 1999 when Van Gaal's team won 3-1 His second came in the 2002/03 season with Radomir Antic in charge in the quarter final defeat to Juventus and his third came in the 1-0 win against Celtic in 2008. His other three goals were all scored last season, against Wisla, Basle and Sporting.