FC Barcelona’s midfield maestro and heartbeat of Spain, Xavi Hernandez and Juventus’ and Italy’s Andrea Pirlo, are players like none other with incredible vision and extraordinary passing ability.
Many football fans have labelled these players as “one of a kind”, “the best deep lying midfielders of their generation”.
But have these talented footballers earned the recognition they deserve?
Xavi, 33 and Pirlo 34 are ageing superstars having each won a World Cup trophy with Spain and Italy respectively and continue to win silverware as FC Barcelona win their 22nd La Liga title and Juventus win their 29th scudetto; therefore signifying that both players enjoyed a successful season with their individual clubs.
Fans and coaches have voiced their opinions on both of these players.
Some fans saying “Pirlo is a silent leader, he speaks with his feet”.
Pep Guardiola and Tito Vilanova saying that “Xavi is a player who has the Barcelona DNA: someone who has the taste for good football, someone who is humble and someone who has loyalty to this club. From the first moment I saw him play, I knew he would become the brain behind Barcelona for many years to come. He plays very, very well… much better than I ever played even when I was at my best”.
But will players with such technical ability and success ever arise within the next decade?
Players such as Marco Verratti have been labelled the “next Pirlo” but at 20, he is still young and gaining valuable experience with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint Germain.
Another player considered the next Xavi is young Oliver Torres at 18 who has earned the recognition of Atletico Madrid Coach Diego Simeone. Simeone was quoted as saying “He is training with the senior squad,” said Simeone, “and is improving vastly”.
Verratti and Torres have great potential and are exciting prospects for the future, but will they surpass Pirlo and Xavi?
Only time will tell.
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