Barcelona legend Xavi talks Figo, Messi, Ronaldinho, Neymar, Iniesta, Busquets, Suarez, Yamal and his coaching spell | OneFootball

Few people are better placed than Xavi Hernandez to tell Barcelona’s modern story. A true icon of the club, he was a key part of arguably the best club team of all time under Pep Guardiola.

He lived through Luis Figo’s controversial departure, played alongside Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi, shared a midfield with Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets, and eventually returned to lead the club from the dugout.

His managerial stint was a mixed bag and the circumstances of his exit left a bad taste in the mouth, but he continues to be adored at Camp Nou.

Speaking to The Prakhar Gupta Xperience on YouTube, Xavi reflected on the players and ideas that shaped his career, while also discussing Lamine Yamal, his own coaching spell and some of the defining moments of Barça’s recent history.

From Figo’s betrayal to Ronaldinho’s revival

One of Xavi’s earliest memories involved Figo leaving Barcelona for Real Madrid in 2000.

“Figo was our leader and captain. It was a complete shock in the dressing room,” Xavi said.

“Imagine Lamine Yamal or Messi signing for Real Madrid, that was the level of impact.”

Xavi Hernandez has lived through one of the most glorious chapters in Barcelona history. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images for Laureus)

Xavi believes the consequences went beyond losing an outstanding player.

“Because of that departure, we suffered three to four years without winning trophies,” he said.

The mood eventually changed with Ronaldinho’s arrival. For Xavi, the Brazilian’s influence extended far beyond his individual brilliance.

“Ronaldinho changed our mentality on the same level as Johan Cruyff,” Xavi said.

“When he arrived, we knew that having the best player in the world meant we had to win.”

“He brought back smiles and excitement to the club. His decline was down to mentality after winning everything, not just partying,” he added.

Xavi then touched upon the obvious Cruyff influence, even if it happened long before he wore football boots and took the field at Camp Nou.

“He changed our mentality and the entire idea for Barcelona and Catalonia,” Xavi said.

“It was about order, position, possession, and attacking bravely through triangles.”

Xavi also acknowledged how Cruyff’s philosophy directly benefited him.

“I wasn’t fast or strong. Without Cruyff’s idea, I would have never played football in the 70s,” he said.

Messi, Iniesta and Busquets

Then came the generation that took Barcelona to extraordinary heights.

“Having Messi in your squad was like having Michael Jordan,” Xavi said.

“Whenever the team struggled for 20 minutes, Leo would step up, create a chance, or score a free-kick.”

“He was our joker card, combined with an outstanding work ethic and competitive mentality,” he added.

Xavi was equally effusive with his praise for his midfield partners, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.

“Iniesta is the greatest Spanish talent I have ever seen,” he said.

“He could play anywhere, use both feet, and glide past defenders effortlessly.”

“Busquets is the best No. 6 in football history,” Xavi said.

“He was slower than me, but he processed every solution before the ball even arrived.”

Xavi could not have been more effusive in his praise for Andres Iniesta. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

That technical superiority was at the heart of Barcelona’s 2011 Champions League final victory over Manchester United.

“Wembley 2011 was one of the finest games of my career,” Xavi said.

“We respected Manchester United greatly, but our model, possession, and tactical dominance made the difference.”

“Hearing praise from Sir Alex Ferguson and Rio Ferdinand afterwards meant everything to us,” he added.

Neymar, Suarez and Ibrahimovic

Xavi also looked back fondly on Neymar’s spectacular time at Camp Nou.

“When Neymar arrived, he was flying,” Xavi said.

“At his peak in Barcelona, he was the closest player to Lionel Messi’s level.”

“He could do anything with the ball in training and on the pitch. Alongside Messi and Suarez, they formed an unstoppable forward line,” he added.

Luis Suarez received equally significant praise.

“Alongside Samuel Eto’o, Luis Suarez was the best No. 9 I ever played with,” Xavi said.

“He was a complete warrior on the pitch and extremely humble off it.”

“His bond with Messi and Neymar off the pitch made the MSN trio operate so smoothly,” he added.

Xavi truly believes Neymar’s peak was the closest anyone came to Messi. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images)

Xavi also rejected the idea that Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s difficult ending at Barcelona reflected dressing-room problems.

“Zlatan was brilliant, funny, and great in the dressing room. We had an amazing relationship with him,” he said.

“The issue was strictly tactical between him and Pep Guardiola when he spent the last three months on the bench. His pure talent was top-tier,” Xavi added.

Lamine Yamal and the next generation

Having witnessed Messi’s rise first-hand as a team-mate, Xavi understands the weight of comparisons involving Lamine.

However, the Spaniard is bullish that the teenager possesses something genuinely exceptional.

“I saw Lamine when he was 15, and his decision-making was already flawless,” Xavi said.

“Knowing when to pass, dribble, or cross at that age is reserved for true geniuses.”

“He has every capability to become the defining player of his generation, following Messi’s example,” he added.

Xavi also compared Spain’s 2010 World Cup winners with the victorious 2026 generation.

“You cannot easily compare the generations,” Xavi said.

“The 2010 team had incredible technical quality in midfield with Iniesta, Silva, Fabregas, and Alonso.”

“The current team controls different phases, transitions, and counter-attacks with players like Lamine Yamal,” he added.

Xavi had a mixed bag of success as Barcelona’s manager. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Xavi reflects on his Barcelona coaching spell

For all the success Xavi experienced as a player, managing Barcelona brought a very different emotional burden.

“Coaching Barcelona is emotional and overwhelming because the club is in my heart,” Xavi said.

“When results didn’t go our way, I suffered personally.”

Xavi nevertheless remains proud of what his staff achieved during a turbulent period.

“We stepped in during one of the hardest economic and footballing moments in club history, winning La Liga and a Supercopa, and I am proud of that work,” he said.

After a break from the dugout following his Barcelona departure in 2024, Xavi is now beginning a new chapter in management.

The 46-year-old was appointed Netherlands head coach in August, signing a contract through the 2030 World Cup, and has already named his first squad ahead of the Nations League.

It is a fitting destination considering how prominently Dutch football runs through Xavi’s own story.

Cruyff’s ideas helped shape the Barcelona in which he developed, while Louis van Gaal handed him his first-team debut and Frank Rijkaard later coached him at Camp Nou.

Barcelona fans will forever follow Xavi irrespective of where he goes in his career, and it remains to be seen how his tenure as Oranje manager plays out.