Xavier Cruz

Xavier Hernandez Creus

Position: Midfield

Born: 1-25-1980

Height: 170 cm.- 5ft. 7in.

Weight: 68kg.

Xavier joined Barcelona at age of 11 and progressed quickly. He was one of Barcelona B's most important players in their successful quest for Second Division promotion. He joined the first team in 1998 and scored on his debut against Mallorca. Soon he proved that he could play any position in midfield and was Barcelona and Spain's key player ever since. His importance was best expressed by Spain's coach Luis Aragones who decided to take him to World Cup 2006 even though he has just returned from a though injury which kept him out of action for 5 months. He said: "They say that it is a gamble to take Xavier with us, but I say it would be a crazy gamble to leave him at home". He was not wrong.

Xavier Hernandez is a Spanish football player who currently plays for Barcelona. He's the third captain of Barcelona and Spain and is the playmaker of both teams. Xavier is known for his technical and passing skills but also for his defensive abilities. He often appears on score-sheet and is an excellent set-piece taker. With Barcelona he has won three La Liga championships (1998-1999, 2004-2005, 2005-2006), UEFA Champions League (2005-2006), and was a runner up on 2006 FIFA Club World Cup.

Strengths: A sublime technician, Xavier rarely wastes possession and, with his visionary passing and ability to hold onto the ball in tight situations is the perfect man to dictate play from deep. A danger from set-pieces, the midfielder also boasts a tremendous work-rate.

Weaknesses: His lack of height and pace would restrict a more limited player, but that would be nitpicking.

Xavier Hernandez Creus is one of the best futbol players of all time. I guessed Spain from the beginning and they won the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa. That was a good day. Holland was favored to win that game, but they came through anyway.