Xavi Hernández reviewed some of Barcelona’s past and present names. In a more than 30-minute chat on Romario’s YouTube channel, the Catalan reflected on his time as coach and said that, like Messi, he also had the option of returning to Camp Nou when Neymar was in charge.
ballon d’or
“Messi is a much better footballer than me. There is no room for comparison or argument. When the three of us are together and they say Leo Messi, my feeling is one of justice. I am a footballer of the team, where they choose one on an individual level, on a difference. I do not feel that I was deprived of the Ballon d’Or.”
Players with similar profiles to him
“Pedri, Vicinha, Mac Allister…for me there are three or four of the best players because they understand collective football. When they pass the ball, they are already thinking about the next play, even a double play. They don’t just pass for the sake of passing, they understand the game. For example, Pedri has that. Also, Frenkie de Jong is very underrated for me. I think he’s a similar footballer to me. ”
De Jong is an underrated player
new messi
“I hope I’m wrong, because I want them to improve Messi, but I don’t think that will happen. I lived with Leo every day for 15 years and he was the best in everything: technically, physically, understanding the game, heading, bad feet, mentally… He’s a competitive animal. When you give him the ball, he improves everything and makes you better. He’s from another planet, well, he is, because he’s going to play.”Plus, he was a humble guy, hardworking, disciplined, and a perfectionist. He was from another planet and was a great guy. But in the end, the chairman said no. ”
“My son asks me if we’re friends, but he doesn’t believe me (laughs).”
Lamine Yamal
“Compare them. He’s the chosen one, he’s a football genius, and now it’s up to him. He’s one of the best right now, or one of the best. Now it’s up to him to want to make history.”
Barcelona manager era
“I’m very proud. The club was in the worst period in its history, but we won two titles. We left behind a legacy of young players like Fermin, Couvaris and Balde, who are now the backbone.”
Which is more difficult: being a player or a coach?
“Being a coach. You are guilty of everything. Being a coach is more complicated. Football players live well, are calm, and don’t connect. A coach can’t lose connection.”
After winning the league and the Super Cup, subconsciously my demands went down a bit.
balance
“We agreed with the president, but the club officials did not allow us to continue. We have laid the foundations. The players have developed. We have a squad for the next 10 years with Lamine, Kvarši, Fermin, Barde…The Barcelona manager was a master’s student. The first year and a half the players… , I came in with very high demands, especially for the president.During that time, I demanded a lot from him.Unconsciously, after winning La Liga and the Super Cup, my demands lowered a little.”I was self-critical and thought, “This will never happen again.” Coaches’ requests to players and club managers must always be made in the best interest of the team.
The team for the next 10 years continues with Lamine, Kvarsi, Fermin and Balde.
Rafinha
“I signed Rafinha. I asked the club to sign Rafinha. In fact, I had already wanted to sign him for Al Sadd since he was in Portugal. I was told about him by my boss, but Rafinha was a European player. I stayed with Roppa. Then I told Jordi Cruyff and Mateu Alemany that we needed to sign him because he is a player who is a winner, attacks deep and scores one-on-one. I always gave Rafa confidence. I have a very good relationship with him. But the coach has to understand the performance in the game. There were players who made changes. It’s been five years since he’s been here and I don’t have much confidence. But now I can see that his talent is exploding. “He’s a good guy, a winner, a responsible guy, a leader, so he’s definitely going to be one of the big names in the World Cup. ”
I asked the club to sign Rafinha.
neymar
“What I saw from Neymar in his first week with us was the closest thing to Messi. I have never seen a player as close to Messi as Neymar, who joined Barça at the age of 21. When I was manager, we couldn’t bring him back, but because of the economic situation at the club. We were able to bring Alves, Pedrito and Messi back as well.”
Spain, Brazil, Argentina, France, and Portugal are also my World Cup favorites
world cup favorites
“I would add Spain, Brazil, Argentina, France and also Portugal. There are doubts between Portugal and England. We see Germany less than we did a few years ago, but that’s Germany too.”
