LifeBogger presents the Full Story of a Barca Legend and now Manager who is best known by the Nickname; “The Puppet Master”.

Our version of Xavi Hernandez’s Biography Facts, including his Childhood Story, brings you a full account of notable events of his boyhood days.

We then proceed to tell you how the Barca Legend became famous in the beautiful game.

The analysis of the FC Barca and Spanish midfield Legend involves his life story before fame, family life and many OFF and ON-Pitch little-known facts about him.

Yes, everyone knows about his Legendary status for FC Barcelona. However, not many have read Xavi Hernandez’s Bio, which is quite interesting. Now, without further ado, let’s Begin.

Xavi Hernandez Childhood Story – Early Years and Family Background:

For Biography starters, Xavier “Xavi” Hernández Creus was born on the 25th of January, 1980, in Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia. He was born to his mother, Maria Mercè Creus, and father, Joaquim Hernández (former footballer).

Since early childhood, he was very much eager about the game and watched a lot of English football games.  

Xavi showed impressive athletic abilities at an early age. Both parents helped Xavi to make the right decisions at key times, guiding him to follow life’s path the right way.

Although he was initially inspired by compatriot playmaker Pep Guardiola in Barcelona.

Xavi Hernandez Biography – Career Summary:

Did you know?… Xavi joined La Masia, the training academy of FC Barcelona, at age 11.

A rapid rise through the academy’s ranks earned the midfielder a spot on the 1997-98 reserve team, which won its division to earn a promotion.

When Xavi was 19, he almost signed for Milan. His father gave the “yes” to him, but his mother said, “If Xavi leaves Barcelona I will
divorce!”.

Xavi forgot about the idea and kept his progression at Barcelona. The sustained impressive performance meant that he became a key member of Louis van Gaal’s title-winning team.

Legendary Xavi finished his debut season with 26 matches played and winning the Spanish league. He also was named the 1999 La Liga Breakthrough Player of the Year.

Xavi became Barcelona’s principal playmaker after an injury to Pep Guardiola in the 1999–2000 season.

He kept progressing and was named La Liga, Spanish Player of the Year in 2005.

Again, after being named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008, Xavi spoke to Bayern Munich about a transfer.

Newly appointed Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola convinced him that he was too important to the club to be allowed to leave.

On 9 June 2010, Xavi signed a new four-year contract with the club, which may be automatically renewed up to 30 June 2016 based on the number of games played. He had a befitting retirement from Barcelona.

On 21 May 2015, Xavi announced that he would join Qatari club Al Sadd at the end of the 2014–15 season on a three-year contract.

According to his agent, the deal would involve him becoming an ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the country and also starting his coaching qualifications. 

On 10 November 2017, Xavi said that he would retire at the end of the 2017–18 season, and would later pursue a coaching career.

The rest, as they say, is now history.

Xavi Hernandez Family Life:

Coming from a football family means you are rich. This is because football professionals are well-paid.

This is the case with Xavi. He comes from a rich football family background. Here, we give you details about his family.

About Xavi Hernandez’s Father: 

To start with, Joaquín Hernández García, the father of Xavi is a retired footballer from Mexico.

Joaquín Hernández García started his soccer career playing at Terrassa and then, at the age of 18 was a member of Sabadell’s First Division team.

After his tenure with Sabadell, he played in several clubs, including FC Barcelona, where his son later played.

When Joaquin retired from active playing, he coached several Catalan teams, some of them in the Third Division. He is seen as a mentor to his son, Xavi.

About Xavi Hernandez’s Mother: 

Maria Mercè Creus is the mother of Xavi. The FC Barcelona veteran midfielder once revealed a “war” with his mother stopped him from leaving the Catalan giants in the past.

“I have had offers in the past to leave, but she always insisted that my place is here in Barcelona. 

My Mum said I am better off at home, that I should succeed at Barcelona and many times she has worked hard to ensure I stay,” he told Sky Sports via Soccer Laduma.

“When I was 18…, we had a sort of ‘war’ in my house to stop me from leaving. My mother has always been very stubborn about me staying at Barca.

“Especially during difficult times for me and the club, such as when we went four or five years without winning anything. 

When I didn’t believe in myself, I didn’t believe in football, and I was looking to change everything, it was difficult. 

But between my stubbornness and my mother insisting that I should stay in Barcelona and succeed here, it all came out well in the end.” Said the legendary midfielder. 

About Xavi Hernandez’s Siblings:

Xavi has a total of 5 siblings, namely, Ariadna Hernández (sister), Dianalaura Hernández (brother), Oscar Hernandez (brother), Alex Hernandez (brother) and Dianalaura Hernández (brother).

Xavi Hernandez Biography – Relationship Life:

A recent online report in Peru’s Libero claims that Barcelona and Spain teammates Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol were in love with the same girl.

She is the fashion journalist Nuria Cunillera. Both fought over her back in 2012.

The Libero report says that both players had ended their relationships with their respective girlfriends at the time and fell in love with hottie Cunillera thereafter. 

Puyol probably knew that Cunillera could love Xavi more. Yet, he pursued his interest in the lady.

The situation threatened to boil over when the two players confronted each other and nearly came to blows over Cunillera. Thankfully, things did not go out of hand.

However,  the two players have not been on the best of terms ever since the ugly incident occurred.

It was Xavi who later went on to quickly ask Nuria Cunillera’s hands in marriage. Both celebrated their marriage in 2013. It was a ceremony that was attended by the majority of his Barca teammates.

The ceremony was attended by most of Xavi’s Barcelona teammates, including Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas, Jordi Alba, Victor Valdes, Javier Mascherano and Pedro Rodriguez.

However, Puyol did not attend the function. I am guessing you know why. Their daughter, Asia, was born on January 3, 2016.

Xavi Hernandez Biography – Why He Left Barca:

According to his father, Joaquim Hernandez, “Xavi doesn’t leave for economic reasons: “He’s not leaving for money.

I think he hasn’t enjoyed football during the last two years. There were difficult situations in the dressing room, and as a captain, he suffered important fatigue”.

The player admitted in the press conference that it was the right time to leave. “I had to wait until things went better to leave through the big door”. Xavi shed some tears after saying his final goodbyes.

Xavi Hernandez Biography – What we will remember him for:

• For being one of the best central midfielders of all-time
• We will remember Xavi for his ability to find and exploit space as a playmaker. As he said, “That’s what I do: look for spaces. All day.
• I’m always looking.” Finding space, he would appear for a teammate to receive and then move the ball on, with his coach Pep Guardiola putting it. “I get the ball; I give the ball, I get the ball, I give the ball.”
• We will remember Xavi for his vision, pinpoint, accurate passing and world-class ball control, which have allowed him to dictate the flow of play while rarely relinquishing possession.
• For being the only Barca player with the most number of major trophies(25) and a number of league titles (8). He has won more trophies (28) than any other Spanish player in history.

Appreciation Notes:

We strived for accuracy and fairness while delivering Xavi Hernandez’s Biography. Please stay tuned for more Managerial Football Legends. The story of Thomas Frank and Dean Smith will interest you.

If you see something that doesn’t look right in our memoir, please contact Lifebogger via comment.