Who is the World's Best? Candidate 5

Xavi Hernandez: Xavi is the ultimate complete midfielder. Xavi, a Barca product, has really erupted in popularity over the last two years or so. Xavi is best known for his ability to keep the ball in the tightest spaces and create for his teammates while under pressure. He is the gel that keeps Barcelona together. An excellent player with the ball at his feet, Xavi uses both feet and his fantastic turning ability to take him away from trouble and often pass remarkable through-balls or shoot from distance. Xavi, like his teammate Andrés Iniesta, relies more on his technique than most players, but that is why he is so unique. The Euro 2008 Player of the Tournament defends and aids Barcelona in producing the flowing football it has football fans accustomed to watching whenever Barça steps on the pitch. He's been performing so well of late that Marcos Senna, Spain teammate and Villareal player, has stated that Xavi is the best player in the history of football.

The complete player, Xavi Hernandez received some recognition this summer for his classy play. Easily one of the best players in the world, Xavi is still not given all the credit he deserves. Although he is a player with no glaring weaknesses, at times he struggles against athletic teams and players because he does not possess the physical attributes like speed or strength to be the most dominant player in the world. When he does take on teams that mark him closely and play him physically, he drifts in and out of games.

The Catalonian Roller Coaster

As an avid fan of FC Barcelona I am constantly riding an emotional roller coaster. The last decade for the club have been filled with highs and lows that could probably see me end up with a heart problem when I am in my 60s. But right now I have absolutely no idea what to think. Yes, I am happy that my club is on a long winning streak after a very disastrous start to the season (at least by the standards expected) and I was filled with joy as I watched highlights of the 6-1 thrashing that was handed out to fellow title contenders Atletico Madrid (if only it had been those smug b*stards from the blanco side of that city then I could die in peace).

But I am still not sold on Pep. I was a big fan of Rijkaard. Here was a man who had single handedly saved the team from almost relegation in the 03-04 season to 2nd place in the table. Here was a man who brought in players such as the one and only Samuel Eto'o, Deco, Rafa Marquez, etc. Here was a man who invested in the up and comers from La Masia and unleashed talents such as Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and Bojan on the footballing world. Here was a man who led us to the most successful two year period in the recent memory of the club (back to back Liga titles and a Champions League trophy). But here was also a man who had lost control of his crop of players, letting them run wild and leading to the last two disastrous seasons.

I respect Mr. Guardiola. As a former midfielder he is one of the players I payed most attention to in my younger days. He was simple and effective. And while I do like the fact that he does not seem to be stuck on a one track tactical ride like Rijkaard was, he does not exude the same confidence that old Frank did. Going into games with Frank at the head there was an expectation to win, even after the disappointments over the past two seasons. Now though, a feeling of fear creeps into me as I await watching Barcelona games. I have no idea what squad will be selected, whether I will be blessed with another opportunity to watch Leo the Lion, Sammy Eto'o, Titi, Xavi or Iniesta play. I am not a fan of the rotation policy because it doesnt provide for any consistency in play. Rafa Benitez tried this with his Liverpool team a few years back and it did not yield very good results- at least in League terms (I think they won the UCL). But the most important trophy to win is La Liga. It is the one fans care about the most- and it is the fans who watch games.

But at the same time, the rotation policy keeps players fresh and allows all the different diamonds that are available to sparkle equally throughout the year. Toure, Keita, Busquets (although I am still not sold on him, even after watching him live in Giants stadium), Xavi and Iniesta rotate through the midfield and it is a spectacle to watch them all play. Up front, the policy may hopefully alleviate the injury problems that have plagued Eto'o and Messi over the past two years (coincidentally no titles were won in those years) so there may be some good to come out of it. The only thing left to do is strap myself in and let the roller coaster roll. Hopefully when its all done I haven't screamed too much or thrown up after I got off.