Xavi was a world class player earlier too but his qualities became much more emphasized under Pep.
So before being coached by Pep how was Xavi regarded?
It’s so funny the same guys that said Messi only scored because of iniesta and Xavi being gods will tell you pirlo was miles clear of Xavi 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂
pirlo
xavi was considered a great player for barcelona, but untill the EC 2008, pirlo was clear ahead
he had a platini route, great player that reached his peak in his mid to late 20s
pirlo, who is just a year older, was already considered great in his early 20s at milan was already considered a world class player
both of them are great imho
Pirlo played in objectively worse teams than Xavi’s Barça and still managed to win everything but Euro 2012, lost to Spain. He also lost CL 2014/2015 to that same team basically.
Xavi wasnt in the top 10 before 2008. Lampard and schooles were absolutely killing it way before xavi.
Xavi was always considered better. Pirlo became mad popular in his last years.
lmao
Pirlo. When 2008 hit he had already won 2 champions leagues, league titles and a world cup. Pirlo was the midfield Maestro. Defensively he had Gattuso next to him cleaning everything up and passing the ball to him.
Xavi became Xavi under Pep’s term. He was no doubt the key to Barcelona’s success in midfield but Pirlo had already proven himself with those Milan teams. Anyone who played CM01/02, 03/04 or PES in those days would tell you the same answer. Pirlo was a beast and he was portrayed as such.
Most of 08? Daresay Pirlo. Xavi got his by the time Spain did it with that world cup.
In all honesty, I think Xavi is not appreciated enough until this time. That being said, that time was peak Pirlo.
Pirlo was not only a leader in the second coming if AC Milan as a super club, but he was also a leader in the Italy team that won 2006. Xavi, while already seen as talented by many players, was not nearly as a focal point to both Spain and Barca yet. Xavi post 2008 got all the credit as a leader and the brain behind the Spain that beat everything and the Barcelona that won everything.
Xavi tbh wasn’t really considered that exceptional until Pep got to Barca and then Spain won all the international tournaments. Pirlo, however, was the maestro of a great Milan side and won the world cup.
The most memorable thing about Xavi to me around 2007 was when he had silver hair under van Gaal.
Before 2008, Pirlo. He won a World Cup.
After 2008, also Pirlo.
Before 2008, this wasn’t a discussion. People would think you’re crazy for comparing these two.
While Xavi always was a capable midfielder, it was Pep to truly play to his strengths. Before Pep, he had to play a more defensive, stationary role behind traditional number 10’s such as Ronaldinho and Deco. But Pep sent Ronaldinho and gave the Xavi-Iniesta duo the freedom to rule the midfield. Without needing to carry the load of a lazy number 10.
Pep knew what Xavi needed, because Pep himself was a very similar player. I mean Pep was more physical and a better holding midfielder, but he too would’ve shined if any manager gave him the role that he gave to Xavi.
All that being said, I’d actually consider Xavi and Pirlo equals. I think Xavi managed to catch up with Pirlo; but I wouldn’t say completely surpassed. Pirlo was just as good of a playmaker, a maestro in the midfield who led his teams to the top.
The only difference between Pirlo and Xavi is that Xavi played with Messi at club level, and with about 6 other world class midfielders at international level. Pirlo had quality teammates as well, but not to that level.
And even so, Pirlo still won everything and showed greater longevity and adaptability than Xavi.
If not Kaka, Shevshenko, Crespo, Gattuso, Seedorf, Nesta, Maldini, etc., who would you say where the best players in the world at the time?
That Milan team was as good as that Barca team
Nobody on that Milan team is on Messi’s level, and if you watched 2009, you would realize just how much playing with Messi inflated Xavi’s assist tally.
2023 brain is terminal
Explain how I’m wrong
Agreed, great take.
As a United fan who was watching the CL a lot and see us linked to every player every year
Pirlo was talked about more before 2008 was very respected as the base of that AC diamond but was seen as not available
Xavi was someone fergie was very interested in from a few accounts -bwirh scholes having an eye problem for a difficult year he was one of a few up and coming players he thought could do the job.
By the way who is xavi without ini and busquets??? These fools need to wash their mouths out xavi had reached his level before those two started to kick on
Some people, even more so FCB fans, are not aware that Cesc left for Arsenal because he could see Iniesta was in front of him… And was not getting any playtime!
I guess it’s more forgivable than the Arsenal fans that conveniently don’t know that Cesc was considered and received awards as the best player in his age group when Wenger “discovered him”. Some discovery.
Its Pirlo for sure, Xavi hasn’t really “impressed” people during 2008 yet. However after winning 2 euros, 1 wc & 2 ucl within 5 years, I’m pretty sure the debate would be over.
Context matters. Pirlo didnt have a Guardiola and a Messi. Still, look at his CV
I don’t think that helps much. Ancelotti, Kaka, Seedorf, Shevchenko, Nesta, Maldini, Cafu, Gattuso, Inzaghi.
Of course it does. It’s hard to stand out with that team because they’re not just goal oriented. Pep placed a high value on Xavi, and Messi scored a lot of goals. That’s the only difference.