Spanish midfielder Xavi, who orchestrated Spain's World Cup triumph, was named as World Soccer's Player of the Year on Thursday. The world champions completed a Spanish double by being named Team of the Year.
Barcelona midfielder Xavi has withdrawn from the Spain squad to play Uruguay this week because of a hamstring problem, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Monday.
It is time for Spain to take their place at the top of world soccer by beating the Netherlands in Sunday's World Cup final, midfielder Xavi said on the eve of the clash.
Good news for Barcelona and Spain, bad news for all their rivals. Xavi says he is in the best form of his life. The diminutive playmaker put in a match-winning performance against Real Madrid on Saturday, setting up both Barcelona goals in a 2-0 victory at the Bernabeu that put the champions top and made them favourites to retain their league title.
Xavi brought his glittering Barcelona career to a fitting and emotional end when he hoisted aloft the European Cup following a 3-1 victory over Juventus in the Champions League final.
Barcelona midfielder Xavi is close to an agreement on a new contract that will mean he ends his playing career at the La Liga club he joined more than 20 years ago, the Spain international said.
Images from the Euro 2024 semi-final between the Netherlands and England, at Dortmund BVB Stadion, Germany, on Wednesday.
Xavi furious at referee as Barcelona knocked out by PSG
Xavi celebrated setting a club record for La Liga appearances when he netted a superb free kick to give an otherwise listless Barcelona a 1-0 win at Granada on Tuesday in a scrappy game in which the home side finished with nine men.
Xavi produced a goal of surgical precision to give Barcelona a 3-2 win over AC Milan on Wednesday in an enthralling Champions League match which also featured Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring against the Catalan club he left acrimoniously last year.
A Xavi free kick and an exquisite lob from Lionel Messi fired Barcelona to a 2-0 win at Sevilla that cut Real Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga back to seven points on Saturday.
France and the Netherlands are level on four points at the top of the group standings, with Austria on three, while Poland have no points and cannot advance to the last 16.
Leeds reach Championship play-offs final with 4-0 win over Norwich
Seydou Keita and Xavi struck in the last 11 minutes to earn 10-man Barcelona a nervy 3-1 home win over lowly Sporting Gijon that kept their La Liga title hopes alive on Saturday.
Barcelona's Xavi crashed a shot into the top corner three minutes from the end and Lionel Messi forced a stoppage-time own goal as the hosts overcame stubborn Granada 2-0 to maintain their perfect La Liga start on Saturday.
The main conundrum for Spain coach Vicente del Bosque ahead of Friday's World Cup Group I qualifier at home to minnows Finland is who to deploy in place of Xavi should the injured Barcelona playmaker be ruled out as expected.
Barcelona midfielder Xavi has damaged a calf muscle in his right leg and will miss the Champions League last-16 second leg at home to VfB Stuttgart on Wednesday, the club said. The Spain international picked up the injury during traing on Tuesday and after tests was ruled out of action for around 15 days.
Spain have a very good chance of winning their first World Cup in South Africa next year but it might just be England's turn and Ivory Coast are potential dark horses, midfielder Xavi said.
Barcelona have a doubt over midfielder Xavi as they prepare to go on the offensive in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against AC Milan on Tuesday.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has no complaints over his squad and fully trusts the club, the German said on the eve of Saturday's LaLiga opening clash at Valencia.
'We tried to keep him, but there is nothing we can do'
Rodri won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world, beating Brazil's Vinicius Jr and England's Jude Bellingham.
Barcelona playmaker Xavi may recover from a hamstring injury in time to feature in Wednesday's Champions League last 16 first leg at Serie A side AC Milan, interim coach Jordi Roura said on Friday.
Magnificent Martinez helps Inter defeat Sparta Prague 1-0
Images from Saturday's action in the Nations League group stage matches.
Xavi scored a typical Barcelona goal to give the European champions a 3-2 win over AC Milan in a Champions League match which was enthralling but of little importance on Wednesday.
Weghorst winner gives Dutch late victory over Poland
Barcelona endured a frustrating evening in their La Liga season opener with a 0-0 draw in a feisty affair at Getafe.
Barcelona won their 27th LaLiga title and first for four years after a 4-2 win at city rivals Espanyol on Sunday.
When asked about Barcelona's youth and talent in midfield especially, Gundogan said he had a lot to offer the team with his experience.
Barcelona have won the Champions League five times, most recently in 2015, and face a tough task to get back to the top table of European football after being forced to sell club legend Lionel Messi due to financial problems.
Colombian super-sub Jhon Duran scored two late goals as Aston Villa salvaged a 3-3 home draw with Liverpool.
'Trust me, the comeback of Leo Messi only depends on him.'
Several players across the continent are poised to make a name for themselves on the international stage.
Vinicius Jr scored a hat-trick in the first half as Real Madrid were crowned Spanish Super Cup champions
A summary of Wednesday's action in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg.
Bayer Leverkusen beat Freiburg 3-2 to edge closer to a first ever Bundesliga title.
Spain and England have experienced very different journeys to Sunday's Euro 2024 final. We look at their path to Berlin below.
LaLiga leaders Real Madrid's pursuit of a record-extending 36th Spanish title
