Few would argue that the Barcelona team which dominated world football in the late 2000s has a solid claim as the greatest of all time.
With Pep Guardiola at the helm, the side was filled with world class talent in every position.
In the middle of all that, were two central midfielders who made a mockery of a game that is supposed to be incredibly difficult.
Andres Iniesta was one of those, someone who treated the sport like a kickabout in the park. Alongside him was Xavi Hernandez, a man who possessed equally magical capabilities and someone who boasts a showreel of assists that few can compete with.
The official UEFA Champions League Twitter account has compiled some of those assists, clipping them together into this convenient two-minute montage of footballing brilliance.
?️ Leo Messi: "He is the best player in the history of Spanish football."
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 25, 2021
?? Happy birthday, Barcelona assist king Xavi Hernández! ?#UCL | #HBD | @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/mnxdlyPeE4
Both Xavi and Iniesta were integral to the tiki taka style of football that made Barcelona so mesmerising to watch throughout a period which saw the club win a staggering 14 titles.
Now plying his trade on the touchline as manager of Al Sadd, the Spaniard has even got the Qatar side employing that same devastating pass-and-move approach to the game.
Bloody hell this looks like Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona! Except it’s Xavi’s Al Sadd in Qatar.#Barcelona pic.twitter.com/i4MXZM9GpI
— Barça GameDay (@BarcaGameDay) December 15, 2020
Given Ronald Koeman’s tough start to life at Barcelona, Xavi has been heavily linked with. a return to the club. Surely it’s only a matter of time before we see that materialise?
Featured image credit: Getty