MUSCATINE, Iowa {KWQC} – A West Liberty soccer player returned from Barcelona and has been asked to return to continue training with FC Barcelona’s development camp.
10-year-old Xavi Hernandez continues to excel for his Pearl City Soccer Club in Muscatine and the FC Barcelona academy in Chicago.
In November, FC Barcelona discovered him and they took him and his family to Barcelona to train in their development camp.
“The development we saw reassured us that at this age, he has very good potential to go very far,” said Diana Hernandez, Xavi’s mother.
Xavi is named after the Barcelona legend and current coach, but seeing everything in person, Xavi says it was a dream come true.
“It was good,” Xavi said. “It’s with my whole team, it’s like a family to me. They support me, and we support them; We support everyone, every single player.”
Xavi immediately caught the attention of his coaches and trainers with his quick movements and left-footed finishing. FC Barcelona has seen this before…in players like Lionel Messi, after whom Xavi models his game.
Diana said, “Seeing him excel there was very different from seeing him here.” “The fact that the feedback we are getting shows us and helps us gives us the idea that we are going on the right path for him and hopefully give him a future in football.”
One of Xavi’s favorite memories was visiting Camp Nou and of course seeing…
“Xavi {Hernandez},” Xavi said. “We got close seats and got to watch the game. We were in the corner with a flag, and we got a chance to touch the grass and watch the players train.
With Xavi’s busy schedule and his family keeping up with his training schedule, Xavi and his family appreciate the encouragement they have received from the community.
“We are very grateful that he had the support of his family members,” Diana said. “Even the school community, their teachers, they’ve all been amazing to work with us.”
“My whole family supports me,” Xavi said. “At school people are asking, ‘Are you going to Spain, how long are you going to be there?’ It’s funny because I always have to tell them if they find out I’m leaving.
Xavi and his family are flying back to Barcelona next week. The 10-year-old player will play in the upcoming FC Barcelona Development World Cup. He will play against children 12 years of age and younger. Xavi is expected to start.
Copyright 2024 KWQC. All rights reserved.
