Xavi was raised practically from birth in 1980 to be soccer’ s version of a quarterback – or, as they call it in Barcelona, a“ number four”. Josep Guardiola filled the role in the Nou Camp stadium before Xavi, and Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas followed soon afterwards. Iniesta outdoes Xavi for pace, and Fabregas in his nose for goal, but Xavi is the ultimate master of the pass. This must be why Fabregas once said, with Xavian modesty,“ Xavi is several classes better than me.” Xavi hits passes, left to right, up and down, usually short, like someone filling in a crossword puzzle at top speed. It’ s hard to recall him misplacing one. Just as the infamous Chelsea defender Ron“ Chopper” Harris incarnated the foul, Xavi incarnates the pass.
A passer cannot do it by himself, the way a Messi or a Maradona can. Xavi needs an organized team to win. When Barcelona and Spain finally got themselves organized around him, trophies followed in a variety unprecedented in soccer’ s history. Since 2005, Xavi has won five Spanish titles and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona; and a European Championship and World Cup with