‘Genius’ Xavi, the youngest goalscorer in Spain’s history, booked himself a spot at La Roja months ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and the Barcelona player is eager to prove himself an integral part of his country’s team when he hosts the Czech Republic in Malaga, on Sunday, in the fourth round of Group B of the UEFA Nations League.

“Concealer Review!” The Catalan Sport newspaper wrote a headline about the excellent performance of the “pearl” of Catalonia since the opening of the international window and continued: “He once again showed a charming performance and led the team to victory.”

At 17 years old, the Maestro has been deepening into midfield, hiding small blobs of his immense talent, but according to his coach Luis Enrique, he has more under his feet.

“I have a feeling that he is still unknown,” the former Barcelona manager said after a 1-1 draw with Portugal, allowing football fans to imagine that they have not seen anything from the genius of this player.

He continued, “He doesn’t just run, he fights, he’s great defensively. Offensively he is also good, he scores, he can shoot with both feet…” and he is a “unique player”.

The La Roja manager praised his player after Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Switzerland in Geneva, saying: “No one can say they don’t like Xavi.”

-record holder-

The young Andalusian player, famous for playing with laces and pressing his tongue against his cheek, continues to break records in the junior category, whether in Barcelona or in the national team.

On 6 October 2021, at the age of 17 years and 62 days, he became the youngest player to wear his country’s shirt in a Nations League semi-final in a 2–1 win over European champions Italy, breaking the record. the previous record, which stood for almost a century, was held by Ángel Sobeta Redondo in 1936, at the age of 17 years and 284 days, during a 0-1 friendly defeat against Czechoslovakia.

At the Eden Arena in Prague last Sunday during the first match against the Czech Republic at the age of 17 years and 304 days, he became the youngest scorer in the history of his country, equalizing 1-1 (the match ended 2-2). ), breaking the previous record in his possession by seven days. His Barcelona teammate Ansu Fati, who accomplished this feat on September 6, 2020, beat Ukraine 4-0.

He burned hidden stages thanks to his talent and joined the ranks of the first team without going through at the age of 21, which prompted Josep María Artels to write in a column published on June 4 in the Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo: “He can spread all his talent because he has more responsibility than Barcelona.

-“incredible”-

The young midfielder, pushed by Barcelona coach Javi Hernandez to play as a striker late last season, has scored in his previous three matches for La Roja in the 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League and dominated the Benito-Viamarin Stadium against Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo and he was the brightest player in Prague and Geneva.

Along with Ansu Fati and Pedri (who are currently injured), Pablo Martín Paez Gaviria, better known as Xavi, is one of the rising stars looking to lead Barcelona and the national team in the coming years.

After two of his younger colleagues renewed their contracts, Gavi, who turns 18 on August 5, is sitting at the negotiating table with FC Barcelona to extend his contract, which expires on June 30, 2023.