WORLD SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR
XAVI
2010
Rare…celebrating a goal
Recognition for pass master
X
avi did not score 55 goals in 51 games for Barcelona in 2010 like Leo Messi. And he wasn’t top scorer in the Champions League like Messi either. He didn’t win a domestic double and the European Cup like Wesley Sneijder. He didn’t score the key goals in a cup final, the league’s decisive game and the Champions League final like Diego Milito. And he didn’t score the winner at the World Cup like Andres Iniesta. In fact, he didn’t score any goals at the World Cup, let alone five of them like David Villa, Diego Forlan, Thomas Muller or Sneijder. But Xavi is still a worthy winner of World Soccer’s Player of the Year award. In fact, he may even be an overdue one. There is a kind of embarrassment, almost guilt, about declaring him the best player in the world this year, as if we want to rectify the mistake before it is too late – and Xavi is 30 years old, after all. It is as if we’re all saying sorry for taking so long to realise just how good you are, for not appreciating the brilliance in your simplicity. This award feels like it is being handed out not just for 2010 but for the Tempo… controlling possession
