When Xavi talks, you tend to listen.
The former Barcelona midfielder was one of the best players of this generation, racking up over 500 appearances for the Catalans.
Passing, tackling, shooting – Xavi had it all and, as he winds down his career in the Middle East, his thoughts have turned to one of the great unknowns in football.
The Spanish World Cup winner never got the opportunity to play in the Premier League, but he has revealed that one night at Anfield has always stuck with him.
The midfielder featured for Barcelona when they beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Group stages of the Champions League in 2001.
Xavi tells this month’s edition of Four Four Two magazine why it was so memorable.
“The fans remained for the whole game and never stopped applauding their team. I couldn’t believe it. I was speechless.”
Xavi also admits a Liverpool legend of the late 1980s always caught his imagination when he was growing up in Spain.
“I remember watching John Barnes at Liverpool – wow, what a player he was.”
So maybe, just maybe, if the right approach was made, Xavi could have featured at Liverpool at one stage? It certainly seems as if he has a special love for Anfield.
