كشفت صحيفة موندو ديبورتيفو اليوم الخميس، عن آخر التطورات المتعلقة بمفاوضات نادي برشلونة مع الأهلي المصري لضم مهاجمه الشاب، حمزة عبد الكريم.
حمزة عبد الكريم يعتبر بين أبرز المواهب الشابة في كرة القدم المصرية خلال السنوات الأخيرة، ويبلغ المهاجم من العمر 17 عامًا فقط.
وتألق حمزة عبد الكريم في الفئات السنية بالنادي الأهلي، وقدم مستوى مميزًا مع منتخب مصر في بطولة كأس العالم للناشئين تحت 17 عامًا.
وجعل مستوى عبد الكريم اسمه يرتبط بالعديد من الأندية الأوروبية الكبرى خلال الفترة الأخيرة، وعلى رأسها برشلونة، وكذلك بايرن ميونخ.
طالع.. حقيقة انتقال رافينها إلى الدوري السعودي بعد كأس العالم
وأكدت موندو، أن نادي برشلونة قد اقترب وبشدة من التوصل إلى اتفاق مع الأهلي من أجل التعاقد مع حمزة عبد الكريم خلال فترة الميركاتو الشتوي المقبل في يناير.
وأضافت أنه حال سارت المفاوضات بشكل جيد بين الأهلي وبرشلونة، فإن عبد الكريم سوف يوقع للبلوجرانا الشهر المقبل عندما يبلغ من العمر 18 عامًا.
وأوضحت أن الأهلي وبرشلونة تجمعهما علاقة جيدة حقًا، حيث استقبل النادي الإسباني وفدًا من المارد الأحمر بقيادة الرئيس محمود الخطيب ومحمد كامل، رئيس شركة ريد كاسل ورئيس مشروع الملعب الذي يأملان افتتاحه عام 2029 في مدينة برشلونة.
وأردفت أن عبد الكريم سوف يوقع للفريق الثاني لبرشلونة، وذلك في ظل غياب نجوم الفريق أوسكار جيستاو وفيكتور باربيرا، بسبب الإصابة.
ومن المرجح أن يوقع عبد الكريم ستة أشهر في صفوف برشلونة على سبيل الإعارة، قبل أن تصبح الصفقة نهائية في نهاية الموسم.
Sources have described an incoming Chelsea starlet as another potential superstar, as BlueCo prepare to welcome another Estevao-like talent.
Estevao rise leads Chelsea youth transfer revolution
Estevao has announced himself as one of world football’s brightest young talents since joining Chelsea this summer, producing performances that suggest the Brazilian teenager could become a generational superstar at Stamford Bridge.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a sensational start to life in English football, scoring five goals and providing one assist in just 740 minutes across all competitions.
Statistically, he’s already surpassed legendary figures at similar stages of their careers, with his goal contributions eclipsing what Lionel Messi and Ronaldo managed in their first seventeen appearances for Barcelona and Manchester United respectively.
Estevao’s finest hour yet came against Barça in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
His breathtaking solo goal left top-level defenders trailing in his wake before the ex-Palmeiras sensation fired into the roof of the net, making him only the third teenager in history to score in each of his first three Champions League starts alongside Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé and Man City’s Erling Haaland.
Minutes
83′
Expected Goals
0.13
Goals
1
Expected Assists
0.35
Big Chances Created
1
Key Passes
3
Long Balls
1/1
Shots
2
Touches
47
Recoveries
4
Estevao’s Premier League performances have shown similar promise, with the South American’s dramatic last-gasp winner against Liverpool in October sending Enzo Maresca into raptures on the touchline.
Chelsea’s investment in young talent continues to shape their long-term recruitment strategy, with Estevao representing just the beginning of an exciting wave of arrivals.
Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez, who is currently on loan at sister club Strasbourg, has been tipped for an exciting future, with Kairat Almaty forward Dastan Satpaev and Corinthians left-back Denner also set to arrive in 2026 — alongside Strasbourg striker Emmanuel Emegha.
As well as the aforementioned quartet, Chelsea will welcome Sporting CP sensation Geovany Quenda to London next summer.
Maresca’s side struck a £44 million deal for the winger in March, and he’s already been described by some as one of the most exciting young talents in world football.
Quenda has been on fire this term with five goals and eight assists in 20 appearances, with Chelsea signing Quenda for half of his release clause earlier this year in what could turn out to be a bargain move.
Chelsea have already signed 'the next Cristiano Ronaldo' in Geovany Quenda
That is according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, who also says that those in Portugal are describing Quenda as ‘the next Cristiano Ronaldo’ in very high praise.
Speaking in a video down at the bottom of a Sky Q&A, Solhekol also reports that there are ‘more Estevaos on the way ‘— referencing Quenda as chief among them.
Commenting on his move to Chelsea, Sporting boss Rui Borges did have a word of caution for the Portugal Under-21 international — namely that this hype could ‘affect his mental state’.
Being compared to Ronaldo brings its own pressure, but from what Quenda has shown already, Chelsea could indeed be about to welcome yet another Estevao to Maresca’s ranks.
أعلن الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم، عن هوية الحكم الذي سيتولى إدارة مباراة ريال مدريد وإلتشي، مساء الأحد، ضمن منافسات البطولة المحلية لذلك الموسم.
ويحل ريال مدريد ضيفًا على إلتشي في ملعب “مانويل مارتينيز فاليرو” ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2025/26.
ويمتلك ريال مدريد 31 نقطة حيث يحتل المركز الثاني في جدول الدوري الإسباني، بعد ارتقاء برشلونة إلى الصدارة مؤقتًا عقب فوزه برباعية على أتلتيك بلباو أمس.
اقرأ أيضًا.. ترتيب الدوري الإسباني بعد فوز برشلونة على أتلتيك بلباو
في حين أن إلتشي لديه 15 نقطة حيث يحتل حاليًا المركز الثاني عشر في جدول الدوري الإسباني للموسم الجاري.
وحسبما نشر الاتحاد الإسباني عبر موقعه الرسمي، فإن الحكم فرانشيسكو هيرنانديز، سيكون مسؤولًا عن إدارة مباراة ريال مدريد وإلتشي في الدوري الإسباني.
وبالنسبة لتقنية الفيديو في المباراة المذكورة، بين ريال مدريد وإلتشي، سيكون مسؤولًا عنها ماريو ميليرو لوبيز، حسبما أعلن الاتحاد الإسباني لكرة القدم كذلك.
Martinelli revelou como foram as conversas com Fernando Diniz antes da final da Copa Libertadores. Contra o Boca Juniors na conquista inédita do Fluminense, o volante de 22 anos foi titular.
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O meia destacou que o treinador ‘o preparou para este momento’ e que sempre demonstrou confiar bastante em seu potencial. De acordo com suas palavras, Diniz é alguém ‘excepcional’.
➡️A capa da Liberta 2023 com a sua cara! Monte a final histórica com o Lance!
– Ele me preparou para esse momento, disse que eu ia jogar, que tinha confiança em mim. Tenho total gratidão. Ele é um treinador excepcional, dá total confiança. Não é à toa que ele está na Seleção Brasileira, ainda vai brilhar – comentou.
➡️ Tudo sobre o Tricolor agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Fluminense
Martinelli também foi questionado sobre ter jogado a final do continental ao lado de André. Os dois atuaram juntos na base do Fluminense quando mais novos e estiveram juntos na decisão também.
– É um cara sensacional, não tenho palavras. Merece tudo o que está vivendo, não sei se vamos ter por muito tempo aqui. Ele merece muito, ele ficou muito feliz. Conversava comigo, a gente estava na base e jogou a final da Libertadores. Desde os treinos a gente falava de ganhar junto – disse o volante.
O atleta também relembrou alguns problemas com lesões que enfrentou nesta temporada. Martinelli destacou a influência dos veteranos, como Marcelo e Felipe Melo, na sua recuperação.
– Passei por momentos difíceis depois da lesão, mas Felipe, Marcelo, falavam muito comigo. Me recuperei, Deus me deu uma nova chance e consegui aproveitar – concluiu.
A two-person bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has observed that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise was “responsible” for the gathering of about “three to five lakh people” outside the M Chinnaswamy stadium on June 4, a day after RCB had won their maiden IPL title.Eleven people died and over 50 were injured as a result of the stampede caused outside Chinnaswamy stadium, after the police did not have any means to control the swelling crowd.The two-person bench of CAT comprising Justice BK Shrivastava and Santosh Mehra said RCB, which is owned by Diageo, had “created nuisance” by going ahead with the IPL victory celebrations without seeking or getting necessary regulatory permissions. The remarks were part of the 29-page order issued on Tuesday by CAT, which was hearing a case filed by Vikash Kumar, Inspector General and Additional Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru (West).Related
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Vikash, along with four other cops, were suspended by the Karnataka government which alleged “substantial dereliction of duty” and not seeking “guidance” which led to the situation going “out of control, meant a lot of misery, loss of precious life and embarrassment” to the state government. Vikash challenged his suspension, and the CAT quashed the government order saying the top cop should be reinstated.The CAT order stated that neither RCB nor M/S DNA Entertainment Network Private Limited, the franchise’s event management firm, had sought any permission formally to conduct the victory parade at Chinnaswamy stadium, which has been the home base for the team since beginning of the IPL in 2008. To organise any event like that, the CAT pointed out that under the Licensing and Controlling of Assemblies and Public Procession (Bengaluru city) order, 2009, an application has to be made seven days prior (excluding the date of submission and the event). No such application was filed by RCB or DNA.
‘Gathering of immense proportion’
The order said that on June 3, the day of the IPL final, Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) chief executive officer Shubhendu Ghosh wrote a letter, on behalf of DNA Network, to the Inspector at Cubbon Park Police Station (adjacent to Chinnaswamy stadium) that in case RCB won the IPL, there would be “potential victory parades” around the ground which would “end with victory celebrations” inside the stadium. The victory parade route was submitted in the same, but no permission was sought.The CAT order said that when the letter was submitted, it was “not certain” RCB would win the final and importantly it did not contain “any request for granting the permission” to organise the victory parade and celebrations.”The organiser did not wait for the response of the Police,” the order said. “At the eleventh hour, they submitted a letter and started the scheduled programme.”The order also put out the sequence of announcements made by RCB on June 4 on the franchise’s various social media handles starting with the “victory parade is scheduled in Bengaluru” post.The first post was put out at 7.01 am, the order said, and at 8 am RCB “posted a link” on their Instagram: “Army, We can’t wait to be back to the Home of Champions and celebrate with all of you today. Details out soon.” At 8.55 am, the same post was issued again, this time accompanied with a statement from Virat Kohli, RCB’s most senior player.The order said at 3.14 pm on June 4, RCB issued another post on all three social media handles saying the victory parade was being held at 5 pm IST the same day and would be followed by celebrations at Chinnaswamy stadium. The CAT pulled up RCB for “unilaterally” putting up information on celebrations without “obtaining the permission” or without the “consent” of the police.While the RCB post advised fans to “follow guidelines set by police and other authorities” so the roadshow would be enjoyed peacefully, it also said there were free passes being issued on the franchise website with a “limited entry” disclaimer. The order said since the post had no information about “disbursement of passes” it “implied” the event was “open to all”.According to the order, the first post (7.01 am) received 16 lakh views, second (8 am) 4.26 lakh views, the third (8.55 am) 7.6 lakhs views while the fourth (3.14 pm) 17 lakh views.The order said all that resulted in the “gathering of immense proportion” with nearly three lakh people gathered around Chinnaswamy Stadium, whose official capacity is 35,000. The order also stated the police machinery was already stretched having had to regulate in the night immediately after RCB’s victory in the IPL final against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on June 3.It was hard for the police to control the large number of people who turned up to catch a glimpse of RCB•Associated Press
‘Police are not God or have magic powers’
The burden on the cops increased further with the Karnataka government organising a felicitation programme. “Therefore, prima facie it appears that RCB is responsible for the gathering of about three to five lakh people,” the order said. “RCB did not take the appropriate permission or consent from the Police. Suddenly, they posted on social media platforms and as a result of aforesaid information the public were gathered. Because of the shortage of time on 04.06.2025, the Police was unable to do the appropriate arrangements. Sufficient time was not given to the Police. Suddenly, RCB created the aforesaid type of nuisance without any prior permission.”The order defended the police saying cops are also “human beings” and they are “neither God (Bhagwan) nor Magician and also not having the magic powers like “” which was able to fulfil any wish only by rubbing a finger.”CAT is a quasi-judicial body which deals with issues related to government and public servants. RCB itself is not part of the proceedings. The tribunal’s observations will have no bearing on the inquiry set up by the Karnataka government to probe the stampede. The inquiry is being conducted by former High Court Justice Michael da Cunha.
After claiming three points against previously unbeaten Crystal Palace before the October international break, Everton manager David Moyes spoke of how Jack Grealish has had a significant impact since arriving on loan in August.
The England international, for sure, has been one of the signings of the summer in the Premier League, assisting four goals in August and claiming the division’s first Player of the Month award.
When the Toffees handed the 30-year-old a lifeline and welcomed him to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, they did so without inserting a future purchase option into the deal.
It has since become clear that they must chase a permanent package as soon as possible.
Why Everton must sign Jack Grealish
Grealish and Moyes have proved a match made in heaven. The Everton manager recognises the playmaker’s talismanic qualities and has given him the license to stand tall as the outfit’s main man.
Fleet-footed and always dangerous, Grealish has averaged more touches per Premier League match than any other Everton attacker this season (52.4), as per FBref, and L’Equipe journalist Pierre-Etienne Minonzio has observed that the fans “immediately fell in love” with the star.
Grealish’s winner against Palace before the October international break wasn’t the finest within his catalogue, but he’s off the mark all the same, and these early-season displays suggest that he will continue to play a starring role across the campaign as Everton angle for heights unscaled over so many recent campaigns.
The plain truth of it is he’s a special player, one of a kind. Grealish has that irreplicable X-Factor that is either there or not. He might have hit 30, but there is plenty left in the tank for this man, and Moyes must ensure his second tenure on Merseyside is shared with this leading on-field light.
Might that come at the expense of some other first-teamers? Perhaps so. Everton need new recruits over the coming years, but one area where they are somewhat overloaded is attacking midfield.
And, for that reason, Dwight McNeil might be on borrowed time in an Everton shirt.
Dwight McNeil is on borrowed time at Everton
It was unfortunate that McNeil succumbed to a campaign-ruining knee injury in December 2024, thus keeping him on the fringes for Moyes’ return and Everton’s restoration at the start of the Friedkin Group era.
The 25-year-old has completed 106 matches in all competitions since arriving from Burnley in 2022, scoring 15 goals and providing 18 assists.
Dwight McNeil in action for Everton
And he was on fire through the early weeks of the 2024/25 campaign, a shining light at the end of Sean Dyche’s stint. Four goals and eight assists were what he notched.
Named in the matchday squad for each of Everton’s Premier League fixtures so far this season, McNeil has recovered from injury and was involved in the club’s pre-season preparations, but he’s simply been kept on the sidelines for the lion’s share of the action.
25/26
1
0 (0)
24/25
21
4 (8)
23/24
35
3 (6)
22/23
36
7 (3)
Moyes, it would seem, fancies a different flavour of playmaker, with the industrious Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also plying his trade from the frontal midfield role this season and looking good while doing so.
Statistician Tactically Matt criticised the Englishman after being hooked before the hour mark during Everton’s September defeat to Wolves in the Carabao Cup. “Dwight McNeil has been a difficult watch for a while now.”
Everton's Dwight McNeil in action with Leicester City's WilfredNdidi
He’s got time to turn things around, but if Grealish pens a permanent deal, following previous acquisitions of Dewsbury-Hall and Charly Alcaraz, it’s not hard to envisage a scenario where the Blues cash in on their creative star.
Everton hit gold on "iconic" star who Rooney said was better than Big Dunc
Everton could do with a centre-forward such as him right now.
Wayne Rooney has named a “brilliant” former England star as his toughest-ever opponent, given both his tackling ability and skill in possession of the ball.
Rooney reveals toughest-ever opponent
Very few defenders were able to get the better of Rooney on a regular basis, as evidenced by the fact the Manchester United legend is the third-highest scorer in Premier League history, with a whopping 208 goals to his name.
The Liverpool-born forward spent the majority of his career at Old Trafford, where he enjoyed a great deal of success, playing a part in the Red Devils winning five Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, one FA Cup and one Champions League.
During the Sir Alex Ferguson era, United were extremely dominant, but they did go three seasons without winning the title in the early noughties, given the emergence of Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, who finished top back-to-back in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
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The likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Petr Cech all cemented themselves as Blues legends in the process, but it is their former captain who was named as Rooney’s toughest-ever opponent when speaking on The Overlap. The 39-year-old said:
“I’ve always said John Terry was one of the toughest defenders to play against. On the ball he was very good – he was brilliant, and he could tackle. I also used to like playing against big centre-backs because I wanted a challenge and wanted that body contact – I could spin them all and come off them, then take them on. John Terry was the toughest though.”
Terry was part of the greatest-ever Premier League defence
It should come as no surprise that Rooney regards Terry as his most difficult opponent, given everything the former England star achieved at Chelsea, most notably playing a key role in the west Londoners setting the record for fewest goals conceded in a Premier League season.
During the 2004-05 campaign, Mourinho’s side shipped just 15 goals across the entire season, with the 78-time England international missing just two games, and he has since gone on to lavish the Portuguese manager with praise.
Not only was the ex-Chelsea captain a rock at the back, but he is also the highest-scoring defender in Premier League history, scoring 41 goals in 492 appearances.
With Levi Colwill set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to an ACL injury, Chelsea are in need of a new centre-back, but it will be extremely difficult to find one capable of coming close to replicating the impact Terry had at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham manager Martin Ho has credited Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone and basketball legend Michael Jordan as being two of the greatest influences on his burgeoning coaching career. Widely regarded as one of the most promising coaches in women’s football, the 35-year-old has opened up on the figures who have helped shape him, with several other sporting greats making his list.
Ho makes promising start to life as Tottenham head coach
Having been appointed as the head coach of Tottenham Women in July, Ho has made a promising start to the 2025-26 Women’s Super League season. The Liverpudlian, who joined Spurs after a two-year spell at SK Brann which saw him lead the Norwegian side to the quarter-finals of the 2023-24 Women’s Champions League, has won five of his first seven games in charge of Tottenham. Across both the WSL and the Women’s League Cup, Ho’s side have secured victories over West Ham, Everton, Aston Villa, Leicester and Brighton, with their only defeats coming in the league to title-chasing pair Manchester City and Chelsea.
AdvertisementAtletico boss Simeone hailed as a key influence
And following Spurs’ strong beginnings under Ho, he has since revealed a number of sporting icons have helped him get to where he is today. When asked by about the key influences on his career to date, he was quick to pay tribute to long-time Atletico boss Simeone, as well as former Australia and England rugby union head coach Eddie Jones.
“Eddie Jones was a big one in terms of his man-management and his delegation around management and staff and how they done things,” said Ho.
“And Diego Simeone’s a big one from Atletico Madrid. Just from the playing style and more because of his persistence over a long period of time. He’s probably the longest-serving manager in men’s football and I think to be at a club for so long and deliver so many consistent results but then deliver titles also maybe with a squad that maybe people don’t always feel have the top, elite-level players, but he gets the best out of them individually by developing them. Yeah, that kind of motivates me to know that it’s not always the finances and resources you need, it’s kind of what’s within. And if you’ve got the right people around you and the right group of players who work hard and you have the right mindset, I believe you can achieve a lot.”
Hulton ArchiveJordan and Bryant also influential figures
And Ho’s influences are not limited to football either, with the former Everton and Manchester United assistant citing basketball stars Jordan and Kobe Bryant as two people whom he has also learned a great deal from.
Continuing to name the sporting legends who have helped him develop as a coach, Ho said: “In terms of sporting icons, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant in terms of how they kind of harness a community and get people around them to be their best in terms of how they interact with the local community, how they more importantly interact with people around them. So those kind of things drive me to want to take advantage of my job, I’m in a privileged position and I want to make sure I take advantage of that.”
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Simeone widely regarded as one of the greatest of his generation
Having taken over the helm in 2011, Simeone’s work at Atletico has led to him being considered as one of the greatest managers of his generation. Competing against Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and Barcelona, Simeone has continually punched above his weight with Los Rojiblancos, winning two La Liga titles, two Europa Leagues and two UEFA Super Cups with the club. Simeone has also been credited with rebuilding his Atletico side over a number of years, as well as reviving the 4-4-2 formation in the modern game.
Harry Brook has been confirmed as England’s new white-ball captain, across both T20I and ODI formats, after Jos Buttler’s decision to stand down following his team’s early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy in March.Brook, 26, has been England’s vice-captain in white-ball cricket for the past year, and led the side in Buttler’s absence for five ODIs against Australia last September. His first outing as the official captain will come in three home T20Is and three ODIs against West Indies at the end of May.”It’s a real honour to be named England’s white-ball captain,” Brook said. “Ever since I was a kid playing cricket at Burley in Wharfedale, I dreamed of representing Yorkshire, playing for England, and maybe one day leading the team. To now be given that chance means a great deal to me.”Brook had been the outstanding candidate for the role after emerging as a key player across formats since his debut in 2022, including Test cricket, for which he is currently ranked as the No.2 batter behind his England team-mate Joe Root, having made a career-best 317 against Pakistan in Multan last year.Speculation had mounted about Brook’s impending appointment when, on the eve of this year’s IPL, he pulled out of his deal with Delhi Capitals for the second year running, citing the need for England to remain his “priority and focus” ahead of a busy 12 months across formats, including key Test series against India and Australia, and the next T20 World Cup in February 2026.”I want to thank my family and coaches who’ve supported me every step of the way,” Brook said. “Their belief in me has made all the difference and I wouldn’t be in this position without them.Related
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“There’s so much talent in this country, and I’m looking forward to getting started, moving us forward, and working towards winning series, World Cups and major events. I’m excited to get going and give it everything I’ve got.”Though still relatively inexperienced as a leader, Brook impressed with his tactical nous in the 3-2 series loss to Australia in September, having also led the Under-19 team at the 2018 World Cup. He has also captained Northern Superchargers in the Men’s Hundred, when available.Though there were no realistic alternatives to Brook as T20I captain, there had been some thought as to whether Ben Stokes should take on the role in ODI cricket, given his existing relationship with Brendon McCullum, and the extent to which the 50-over and Test squads have overlapped in recent months.Speaking in March, Rob Key, England men’s managing director, acknowledged it would be “stupid” not to consider Stokes’ credentials. However, with Stokes still recuperating from hamstring surgery, and given that he had previously retired from the format in 2022 citing his workload, this option was not pursued.Key said: “I’m delighted that Harry Brook has accepted the role as England’s white-ball captain across both formats. He’s been part of our succession planning for some time, albeit this opportunity has come slightly earlier than expected.”Harry is not only an outstanding cricketer, but also has an excellent cricketing brain and a clear vision for both teams that will help drive us towards winning more series, World Cups and major global tournaments.”To date, Brook has played 26 ODIs for England, scoring 816 runs at 34.00, including a match-winning century as captain against Australia last summer. In T20Is, he has played 44 games, averaging 28.50 with a top score of 81 not out, and was part of the team that won the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.
Whilst Spain did manage to return to their European throne last summer and are among the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup, it’ll take some doing to match the dominance that they enjoyed in the 2000s.
As Barcelona and Real Madrid battled it out for the club throne, it was Spain who benefitted on the international stage. Stars such as Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique put their rivalries aside to put the very best to the sword and leave several countries in their wake. It was the era of the El Clasico at its best from September to May, but collective Spanish dominance from then onwards.
Spain win Euro 2012.
With Vincente Del Bosque in charge, the Spaniards defeated the Netherlands in last-gasp fashion to win the World Cup in the 2010 World Cup. They then thrashed Italy two years later to win Euro 2012 in their second-consecutive European Championship win after victory in 2008. And it was in that 2012 game that Xavi particularly starred.
The Barcelona legend was often at the centre of the beauty that was Spain’s side at their peak. He was their controller – the conductor of a side so capable of ending summers with the perfect crescendo – and without him, there may have been no World Cup and there may have been no European Championships. He was that influential.
Yet, even one of the best midfielders of all time had no choice but to admit that another star man is the most talented player in Spain’s history. Simply put, as good as Xavi was, another star stands tall as the best that the country has ever seen.
Xavi: Iniesta is Spain's "most talented" player ever
From Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi to Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol, Barcelona enjoyed some incredible combinations during their best years, but perhaps none as perfect as Xavi and Andres Iniesta. The Spanish duo were untouchable when together with Sergio Busquets and all three took that invincibility to the international stage.
As good as all three were, however, Xavi only had one answer when selecting Spain’s “most talented” player in history – claiming that Iniesta is the country’s true standout.
Whether the likes of Lamine Yamal eventually overtake Iniesta’s legacy is a debate for another time. Of course, if he does intend to do so, then he’ll need to find a way to beat the former midfielder’s iconic winning goal against the Netherlands in 2010. Over to you, Lamine.