sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Xavi had zero doubts when naming the two England players who could play in prime Barcelona team featuring Lionel Messi

Home> Football> England

Updated 15:16 11 Mar 2025 GMTPublished 07:00 11 Mar 2025 GMT

Xavi had zero doubts when naming the two England players who could play in prime Barcelona team featuring Lionel Messi

"Here we prioritise technique over the physical aspect of the game."

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Xavi Hernandez named Steven Gerrard and another member of England's so-called 'Golden Generation' as players who could have played for prime Barcelona.

The Spaniard, who is described as being "one of the best midfielders in history" on Barca's official website, would lift eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues during his spell with the Catalan giants.

In total, Xavi spent 17 trophy-laden years in the Barcelona first-team, where he shared a pitch with some of the all-time greats, including Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Ronaldinho.

But he never played alongside an English player during that time.

Advert

With that being said, the former Spain international has previously been asked to name some English players he would have "loved" to play alongside at Barcelona.

Speaking to Match of the Day in 2014, he said: "I would have in my team any top technically-gifted player. John Barnes was one, Paul Gascoigne another."

He added: "Gerrard could have played for Barcelona, as could Lampard. They're players with top-quality technique. Here we prioritise technique over the physical aspect of the game. So a lot of English players could play for Barcelona."

Asked if he had any British idols growing up, Xavi added: "I remember John Barnes, Paul Gascoigne and Matt Le Tissier. We used to watch a lot of English football. They used to show highlights and Le Tissier scored some spectacular goals.

"I remember the European Championships in England with Gascoigne playing some great matches and remember the 'sombrero' at Wembley [Gascoigne's goal against Scotland]. It was spectacular."

Xavi would go on to name former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere as an "amazing player" after being prodded for his favourite English player.

He added: "Raheem Sterling has a great future ahead of him. Then there's the older guys such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry. They're part of English history, winning every single title."

Lionel Messi, Steven Gerrard, Andres Iniesta and Xavi line up after receiving their FIFA/FIFPro World XI awards in 2009. Image credit: Getty
Lionel Messi, Steven Gerrard, Andres Iniesta and Xavi line up after receiving their FIFA/FIFPro World XI awards in 2009. Image credit: Getty

The midfielder would later play down the idea of playing in the Premier League as he reaffirmed his desire to play for boyhood club Barcelona.

"The Premier League is a very attractive. Liverpool, for example, is a team that has something special - the stadium, the fans, everything. But I always prioritise Barcelona - it's my life, it's my world. I am lucky and wouldn't change it for anything," he said.

"Matt Le Tissier never left Southampton, so I think it was a good thing for him, however nowadays there are few cases of this. But I have had the luck of being with Barcelona for so many years."

Featured Image Credit: SuperSport/YouTube

Topics: Xavi, Barcelona, Spain

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

  • Xavi had no doubts when naming the one Premier League club he would have left Barcelona to sign for
  • Xavi drops Lionel Messi bombshell as Barcelona 'betrayal' revealed
  • Xavi names three England players who would've fitted perfectly into Pep Guardiola's iconic Barcelona team
  • Lamine Yamal had zero doubts when naming the two stadiums he’s desperate to play in

Choose your content:

21 mins ago
an hour ago
4 hours ago
6 hours ago
  • Getty
    21 mins ago

    Goalkeeper who punched opposition player hit with historic punishment

    Having been sent off, the Real Zaragoza goalkeeper punched a Huesca player square in the face and has now been punished.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Premier League cult hero forced to retire aged 33 wants a 'life free of pain' after new surgery

    The player made 177 Premier League appearances.

    Football
  • Getty
    4 hours ago

    FIFA pressure US government into surprise decision impacting all 48 World Cup nations

    The tournament is just 43 days away, yet some huge decisions are to be made before a ball is kicked.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    6 hours ago

    White House issue bizarre statement responding to criticism of Trump's FIFA Peace Prize

    Trump received the inaugural award from FIFA in December.

    Football