Xavi is the best Spanish player of the decade. He's the heart of the most successful Barcelona and Spanish teams ever. He's one of the biggest reasons why Messi, Iniesta, Raul and Villa look so good when they're in the same team as him. Iniesta still has time to be one of the all time greats.
di Stefano. To celebrate UEFA's Jubilee (in 2003) he was chosen as the Golden Player of Spain by the Royal Spanish Football Federation as their (Spain's) most outstanding player. In 2009 none other than Pele called di Stefano "the best player ever". France Football named him 4th best player ever in their Football Player of The Century award, behind Pele, Maradona and Cruyff. di Stefano may not have played on a WC winning side, but he won just about everything else.
Same for me. Di Stefano is the best of Spain if not of the world. Is difficult to compare him with Pele and Maradona as they played in different periods, but for sure he was the best of his time.
There is no "one" greatest player of all time. It's a myth originating from sports stations trying to sell a player's image. Maybe for a small country one can say that a certain player is the best ever because they never had anyone else have as much success. But for the most part, you are wasting your time arguing over things like this because there is no way to prove someone is "The best of all time." Not for the likes of Spain, at least.
Heres Guardiola's vote. http://www.goal.com/en/news/12/spain/2010/08/03/2054556/barcelona-coach-pep-guardiola-raul-is-the-best-spanish
meh http://www.sport.es/default.asp?idpublicacio_PK=44&idioma=CAS&idnoticia_PK=722747&idseccio_PK=805
If there is justice in football, Xavi will rightfully win the new FIFA Ballon d'Or and end this debate.
Of all time? Raúl. Although I think Iker Casillas is a close second. And maybe David Villa, although he doesnt seem to do much with his club.
Iker Casillas gets my vote Close to breaking the caps record for Spain Holds almost all keeping records for Spain Holds the most clean sheets by any keeper at International level Euro and World Cup winning Captain playing huge parts in winning both. See Italy v Spain @ Euro's and Casillas's perfoamnces in the KO's at the World Cup. By the time he retires he would of seen the most succesful Spanish side under his captinacy.
I recently spent a week in Madrid and had dinner with a family friend, Emilio Butragueno and it was his opinion that Di Stefono is the best player to ever play for Real madrid. That is saying something and coming from a legend.
I think Xavi would take exception to being the Greatest Spanish Player Ever considering he's proudly Catalan.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhK4oszx7YI"]YouTube - Viva España, Viva Xavi, Viva toda España[/ame]
Fair enough. Describing his goal against russia as the most "magical" goal he has ever scored in his career? Xavi is one guy I think loves playing and representing his country... and frankly is the best his country (spain) has ever given birth to. forward to 1:40 also, part 1,2,3 has many emotional and obviously sincere comments coming from Puyol, xavi and Xabi. Thats not saying he is not a proud catalan just like Ramos is a proud Andalusian. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTboToRT60E"]YouTube - Info. Robinson - Euro 2008 Dream (English subs) Part 3 of 3[/ame]
And I think you should STFU about things you have no clue about. Since I don't consider Di Stefano spanish, I'd say Xavi, too. And Casillas is in consideration too I guess.
I was hoping you would give me your opinion on the video I posted. Do you think Xavi is still saying the "politically correct" thing to an english journalist?
From 1:40... I don't get anything about his nationalistic pride... just that he scored the best/most meaningful goal of his career.