Five best Spain moments for Xavi following his La Roja retirement

In light of the announcement that iconic Barcelona playmaker Xavi Hernandez has retired from international duty with Spain after earning 133 caps, Coral writers gather together a list his five best moments for La Roja.

The majestic midfield maestro, 34, said in a statement: “I’m grateful for all those years. It has been a fantastic time. I’m not 20 anymore, but I still have the motivation of a kid.

“I want to thank everyone involved in that team for the way they treated me and the respect, and I could not wish for a better time as an international.”

First international cap v Netherlands
The Netherlands are a nation that play a big part in Xavi’s Spain tourney, having been the first side he played against at senior level, on November 15th, 2000. They were also the opposition in Spain’s first World Cup final victory in 2010 but, incidentally, were also the catalyst to La Roja’s woeful exit in Brazil 2014.

Xavi started and played the full match that day on his debut in 2000 and, despite his side losing 2-1 in Seville, he went from strength to strength, becoming arguably his country’s best ever player.

Voted Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008
What better way to win your national side’s first major trophy in 44 years, by being named the best at that tournament? Xavi achieved just that, and thus confirmed his status as an all-time great of the game, with international honours to prove it, as well as domestic success with Barcelona.

“We have chosen Xavi [for the Player of the Tournament award] because he epitomizes the Spanish style of play. He was influential in the whole possession, passing and penetrating kind of game that Spain played,” said the head of UEFA’s technical committee.

When it mattered, the diminutive player rose above all. In the semis against Russia, he scored Spain’s first in the 3-0 victory, while he set up the sole goal for Fernando Torres in the 1-0 win over Germany in the final.

Most Spain caps for an outfield player
Just being capped for your country is a remarkable achievement that any young footballer would dream of, but to gain 133 and have the most for your nation as an outfield player is almost unbelievable to imagine.