Over the past several weeks, the footballing world has had storylines all over – from Barcelona’s loss to Liverpool, Tottenham’s epic comeback against the upstart Ajax team, and Manchester City clinching one of the closest Premier League title races in recent history. Lost in these storylines was the official announcement from a player who revolutionized the way modern football is played – Xavi.
Let’s take a look back at Xavi’s influence throughout Barcelona, especially in the club’s glory days, and how his official retirement marks an end to a career that ranks him in the upper echelon of all-time players.