Spain . He was voted best player of Euro 2008 , but soccer ’ s bias against the provider is such that he has never won the Ballon d ’ Or for World Footballer of the Year . It doesn ’ t matter . Without Xavi there is no Messi , as Messi ’ s flounderings with Argentina demonstrate . Xavi incarnates the greatest teams of our day .
Number 16 : Lothar Matthaus There is no trophy Lothar Matthus has not lifted at one time over his 20-year career . He first reached prominence with his second club , then-powerhouse Borussia Monchengladbach . His talents didn ' t go unnoticed , as he was included in the West German national squad that tooXavi 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