Cruyff’s Corner: The Balon d’Or? It’s for Xavi
The following is a translation of Johan Cruyff’s weekly article in El Periodico. The original can be found here.
Johan Cruyff’s key points.
Having three finalists vying for the world’s best player award is a privilege and an honour for Barca, for all cules.
Next Monday, there will be no more uncertainty. Messi, Xavi or Iniesta – one of the three will win the 2010 Balon d’Or. And all three are from the same team, which speaks well of the pure potential of the teamwork on which they feed off each other. Football is played with 11 players, a ball and the rest are their movements. They do it on a field 60 by 100 meters and everything is decided in half a meter. Not much more. How then do you decide who is the best in a team sport?
For individual excellence, it’s Leo Messi. On ball control and acceleration, for the weight [of responsibility] he carries for the team in the position that he plays in, and as the author of not one but two goals that mark the life of every footballer, it’s Andres Iniesta. For his consistent performance and for being the conductor that marks the timings of everything and everyone, Xavi Hernandez.
Messi is now better than he was a year ago when he won the Balon d’Or with a record number of votes. Play him near the box, give the ball to him, and he’ll give you his best performance. Add this to the role he has played in the last six months, where even if he didn’t score any he created for others, and his overall contributions goes even further than that.
All in 15 meters
It looks like something else, but it’s just routine stuff, or better, if that’s possible. The difference in his case is in the final 15 meters [where he’s deadly]; 5 [meters] in front [of goal] or 10 [more] before that. But for that to work, for him to be the 2-in-1, Messi the scorer or Messi the assistant, others have to be [equally] insightful. The small step back from the Argentinean is only good if others took a small step forward. Then there is the perfection of the pass. And this happens by choosing the right moment, the precise speed and the exact alignment; the collective effort, the team over the individual.
The ultimate prize is a goal. For that to happen, the conception of that prize – the goal, for me, started further back, with Valdes. From the time he made the stop, and by being the first player on the pitch with the ball at his feet, on to the defence, continuing the build-up. And [from there] through to the spaces they occupy and does not occupy, marking the beginning of the positioning for everyone, the midfielders and forwards.
To make this work, from top to bottom, left to right, we need a conductor. Control, speed and pause, all in one, and always with the ball. Pause? Thou shalt take a breather, but not for thy opponent. How? By moving the ball and occupying your spaces. Speed? Doing the same but at a quicker pace. And then the burst. He decides when to press and when to slack off. So I have to go for Xavi, for his capacity to be their backbone, determining the pace of the game, for his performance and his presence.
The question is no longer how many games have Xavi played in the last year but how many he missed them. Where Messi falters, discreet in the World Cup with his team, Xavi came out graceful, and a champion. Where Iniesta came home triumphant because of his winning goal in the final in South Africa, Xavi was his co-conspirator. The difference for me is not the World Cup but in the months prior to that. While Iniesta missed a lot of games much to his disappointment, Xavi went on adding his presence. And his ratings are not 4 today, 10 tomorrow, it is on average an 8. And that is an 8 on average for the whole team. Normally, excessive number of games means two things, either some form of injury or fatigue. Even without rest and with some pain, Xavi is, at present, able to maintain his level of play. And this makes him more determined.
Breaking records
Messi may not win it this year and I know, he knows, we all know, he can win not two, but three or four Balon d’Ors. For his age, the trajectory [of his career], and his quality, he can surpass the three Platini, Van Basten and myself got. At his level, in a year without a World Cup, no one, at the moment, can do what the Argentinean forward does – something admitted by his Barca and national team teammates.
Example for all
Iniesta too may not win this year, but with or without the prize, he has already gone into the annals of history, with Barca and Spain. And this is worth much more than an individual trophy. On the other hand, because of his age, for his outstanding year, it’s now or never for Xavi. In what can be construed as a virtual tie for all three is in their demeanour, as shown by them on and off the field. They are just regular guys, just ask their teammates, friends and people who know them. Three humble blokes that are an example to children.
Excellent as always.
Great analysis. I personally can't decide between the three, wish they would just make an exception this year and give it to all of them
Like Puyol says – "It’s hard to give an individual award for what is a collective sport and choosing just one out of the three is very tough".
I couldn't agree more with him. But I still have a feeling that Iniesta will get it just because of his goal in the finals (don't get me wrong Iniesta deserves it but Xavi deserves it more)
Love Cruyff
arrghhh .. its so hard to pick just one and not give it to the other 2.
Iniesta.. after his brilliant world cup and perhaps the greatest world cup goal celebration ever… how can you not give it to him?
Messi … well enough said.. is Messi.. simply the best. no questions asked.
But i agree with Cryuff… "On the other hand, because of his age, for his outstanding year, it’s now or never for Xavi."
i would give it to Xavi too… not just because of his age… but overall in 2010 he was the best.
sometimes i wish they could just split the Ballon d Or in 3… because in reality they all deserve it.
I think he is right out of the three it is extremely likely that a spanish player will win it. To be honest between Xavi and Iniesta the choice is clear. Iniesta was out for months with injury and the main reason why I believe he is in the top three is because of his winning goal. Xavi on the other hand was available almost all year and he plyed consisitently always giving that killer pass when needed. Also if you look at the ages, Xavi may not have another chance, especially since in this football world, goals are glorified more than the assist. To me this is Xavi's Ballon D'Or no doubt about it.
I don't mean to bash Iniesta or anything, I would happy if any of the three got it, but if you look at past winners as well as comparing Xavi/Iniesta's stats for 2010, it is the most logical thing to occur.
I wish they could give it to all three but I feel its time for Xavi to get it.
God knows Messi is the best player in the world and Iniesta is one of the greatest midfielders to have graced us and I love them but I feel they will have many more chances to win this award. Xavi is the best now and he should win it, JMO.
You saved me alot of writing. I agree in pretty everything you said. here how i think it should be broken down to:
in Season 09/10:
Messi gets 10/10, i mean come on he was scoring goals and hatricks left and right
Xavi: 9.5/10. I would have given him 10/10 but if messi played that great and scored that many goals and deserved a 10 then Xavi has to be a 9.5
Iniesta he was out injured so would give him a 6/10
World CUP:
Messi: 8 played good and assisted players but didn't do as everyone expected… and it want his fault
Xavi:10/10 enough said
Iniesta 10/10
so Xavi seems like the clear winner. This is just my personal opinion feel free to agree or disagree.
I think the following picture summarizes Barcelona's success regarding that coveted award: http://totallygoats.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/ball…
My personal preference is Xavi. He is just irreplacable.
I think the following picture summarizes Barcelona's success regarding that coveted award: http://totallygoats.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/ball…
My personal preference is Xavi. He is just irreplacable.
I think the following picture summarizes Barcelona's success regarding that coveted award: http://totallygoats.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/ball…
My personal preference is Xavi. He is just irreplacable.
I think the following picture summarizes Barcelona's success regarding that coveted award: http://totallygoats.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/ball…
My personal preference is Xavi. He is just irreplacable.
I think the following picture summarizes Barcelona's success regarding that coveted award: http://totallygoats.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/ball…
My personal preference is Xavi. He is just irreplacable.
I think the following picture summarizes Barcelona's success regarding that coveted award: http://totallygoats.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/ball…
My personal preference is Xavi. He is just irreplacable.
the only twist to that is that by most people's opinion Iniesta had a better world cup than Xavi (even without that goal in the final).
Iniesta also scored against Chile and generally was the best player from Spain.
On the other hand, while Xavi had a great world cup, he was played further up the pitch and certainly wasn't at his Barcelona best. great world cup for Xavi, but Iniesta had an even better one.
So while Iniesta gets 10/10, i would say Xavi should get 9.5/10.
but at the end of the day, no doubt Xavi deseves it more than everyone… because this award is for 2010 and not just the summer of 2010. definitely Xavi was the best player.
Master of Tiki Taka football teaching exactly what he taught the dream team.. Legend of the game… Thanks for introducing this style of football to Barca.. Wonder if we would have been playing EPL kick and run pattern by now.. For me i wouldn't be surprised who wins the Balon Dor be it Xavi, Messi or Iniesta.. I'm glad it'll be a Barca player.. As Xavi said, it'll be for all Barca family and that includes us fans
just to clarify… Iniesta also had a other great contributions at the world cup. people will always remember his goal at the final, but dont forget that beautiful dribble and then assist for the winning goal against Paraguay in the quarter finals. Against Portugal, Villa and Iniesta were clearly the 2 best players. Against Iniesta had the most telling contribution in that game winning goal. Against Germany though Xavi made the all importan assist to Puyol though.
And at the final, Iniesta really came alive in extra time with this dribbling and of course that goal.
in the group stages too Iniesta scored a very important second goal against Chile if i remember correctly and set up another one.
i just thought that strictly from a world cup perspective Iniesta was the best player from the Spanish team. But the balon dor is not just the world cup altough it has a lot of importance(which is why Iniesta is there in the first place).
So Xavi deserves it overall… Here's wishing to that…
Exceptionel analysis !
I would personly give it to Xavi. First of all because he has been in top form for 3-4 years now, and he has not been recognized. I think the time is in for the world to recognize this genius footballer by an individual prize.
Secondly because he is the main faktor of the team. He is simply the fundamental of barca.
No doubt that Messi is the best player on the planet, but taking the WC in mind, or the whole year, Xavi should be named the winner.
Thanks for the translation, as always.
Lot of good points by Cruyff yet again. I sure hope Xavi wins it this year, magnificent player like him and yet to win Ballon d'Or. I would have given the trophy to him already last year and this year, he only improved. Unbelievable…
Messi and Iniesta have both been excellent but to me, it's quite clearly Xavi.
OK, Cruyff says it and it's 10000000000% true. Xavi deserves it. Iniesta (his goal) demands it, and Messi is worth (more than) it.
Please elaborate. How was this excellent? It wasnt bad, but there was nothing especially insightful or original.
yeah I understand that, but Iniesta ws given a free roaming role in Spain. The position is very similar to the one he plays in Barca. Xavi on the other hand almost fought with Xabi Alonso for the playmaker role. It wasn't until Alonso finally dropped back to form a double pivot with Biscuits( I kid :p ) that Xavi truly began to shine. Iniesta had a good world cup but so did Xavi when you consider that.
Any other year Messi breaks another record for most votes
Yes Xavi dictates many rhythms for the team
But Iniesta gets better and takes on more responsibility the bigger the game and he is as magical on the ball as Messi.
A guy that is not big, not fast,and can't score except when no one else can and it is do or die for club and country. Saint Andres is the winner.
As for the Ballon D' Or winner, it is Xavi. Imagine a body of an artist, a whole human body.. and now imagine an art piece. Messi is the wonderful, slick and dexterous hands which its main function is to touch the artpiece directly,complete the beautiful art piece. Iniesta is the soul of the artist, the intuition, who in the most tight and impossible situation, he comes up to show a solution. But none of those can happen or exist if the HEART, BRAIN AND BACKBONE does not exist. Heart, Brain and Backbone.. that is Xavi Hernandez. That is why he is the winner of Ballon D' Or 2010. Thank You.
by the way, the body is the symbol for the whole team, and the art piece is the beautiful football display that we all know.
friends, as cruyff said the aim of the football game is to score the goal, and personally for me its not the strikers who deserve that glory but its the players that gives them the goal. not because i am a fan of xavi and consider him as my legend but, having that kind of player to the football game in overall, its just pure luck to be alive in his life-time. i am so happy that i live in the age of xavi, inesta, messi etc. because i was pleased to be in an era where a true beautiful and magical football was brought to us by none other, then the team i will die for! VISCA BARCA, VISCA XAVI MESII INIESTA.
p.s. and by the way even if xavi or iniesta wins it. it is still one man xaviesta
))
perfectly said my friend!
Messi is the best. Messi should get it, imho.
However, I sense the award is for "footballer of the year" not best player. Footballer in an all-encompassing sense. And in that sense, I'd vote for Xavi because of the core central role he played in the successes of Barca and Spain during 2010.
Xavi is not just a LEGEND. he’ll be IMMORTAL in the world of football.
i want Xavi to win it…because I promised myself a trip to southeast asia if he wins it.. hehe.. but really, i think Xavi deserves this recognition.. if there was no WC, id give it to Messi. but since Xavi is nominated, id give it to him for consistency…it's something I want him to have because of what he's been doing for the club for a looong time and being excellent at it…
One of the best articles I have read in a very long time. No surprise it comes from quite possibly the wisest person in the world of football.
Brilliant article. Xavi deserves it for his consistency over the last 3-4 years.
I will never forget the semifinals against Intermilan, Xavi is bringing the ball up through the midfield, not finding anyone to pass, he starts screaming with frustration at Messi who starts running for a minute or two wherever Xavi points with his finger. Great moment showing who is the undisputed boss of Barca!
Even though Messi is among the best three players ever playing fotball, you cant help feeling Xavi deserves it before retiring.
Messi and Iniesta are spectacular, but xavi makes the beautiful game come true.