31.10.2010 14:27

Xavi: “I felt nearly 100%”

Anna Segura

Speaking after training this morning, Xavi explained that he’d come off against Seville feeling: “very happy” with his tendons and with a tough November ahead, that he was: “optimistic about taking part in every game”.

After missing the games against Zaragoza and Ceuta, Xavi was back in the starting line up against Seville and reckons: “I felt fine – I was very happy”, and even believes he could have got through the whole 90 minutes if needed.

Although he admitted there is still some pain in his ankle, after the win over Seville the World Cup winner insisted: “I felt nearly 100% and I hope to be available for every game – we’ll have to see how the injury progresses”.

“We needed a game like that”

Xavi was also well aware of what the big win can do for team spirit and the fans’ view of the team: “we needed a game like that at home – we saw the Barça that everybody wants”. Dismissing the doubts that surrounded the team at the start of the campaign, Xavi was adamant: “we are at a very high level, just like we were in other seasons. The only difference has been that we haven’t had a result like this so far, we have tended to go for the result rather than the performance”.

Copenhagen

The squad fly off to Copenhagen on Monday and Xavi is well aware that a win on Tuesday could virtually ensure classification. “that would mean we could rest some players , but it won’t be easy to beat Copenhagen”.

FIFA award

Xavi is one of the favourites for the FIFA Balon D’or award and although he accepted: “it’s an honour to be nominated”, he insisted” the best player now and over the last few years has been Leo Messi . He’s a level above the rest of us”.