Xavi Hernandez has become a father for the first time, after his wife Nuria Cunillera gave birth to a baby girl, who they have named Asia. Xavi and Nuria tied knot two years ago in the Spanish coastal region of Costa Brava.
The Spaniard midfielder currently plays for Qatar Stars League team Al Sadd, while he is also training to be a head coach at Doha’s Aspire Academy. As part of his coaching apprenticeship, he is guiding and helping develop Qatar’s talented under-23 team, which is currently battling for a spot in the Rio Olympics at the AFC U23 Championship.
Here is an excerpt from an interview
Q. You seemed to be happy in Qatar. You’ve found your place after a successful career at FC Barcelona.
Xavi: Yes, everyone tells me that. I’m happy because I’ve connected with the pure essence of football and with wonderful Spanish people in Doha. I work with Felix Sanchez, who is now the coach of Qatar’s under-23 squad, and his staff. It’s a big challenge. And I’m still playing football at Al Sadd. We are not going to be able to win the league this year, but we’ll try to compete in the Asian Champions League.
Q. Are you training be a coach at the Aspire Academy?
I could make that decision here, yes. I like being on the field. I’m learning, seeing where I fit in. I’m preparing to be a coach, a sports director, in the future. I can help them by applying my experience in Spain.
Q. What have you absorbed over these months in your new role in football?
I’ve met amazing people in Qatar. They’re helping me a lot. From Ivan Bravo, Aspire’s director general, to Roberto Olabe, the director of football, to Felix Sanchez. Most of the team is Spanish; I’m learning a lot from them. I’m experiencing things from the other side. I was just a player before. Now I see there’s a methodology, a lot of hours of work, videos, strategy, studying the opponent.
Q. How do the players you’re helping out see you?
They have a lot of respect for me because of my career. But I’m a friendly, respectful person. I like to joke around. I try to be just another guy, but it’s true I tread carefully because they see me as an Barcelona player who has won everything. My presence alone, having gone through so many things, my contribution is positive for them.
Q. What has coach Luis Enrique contributed to this Barcelona?
Since last year, Luis Enrique has really worked on the physical aspect. He’s pushed it further. He’s very demanding, with himself and with others. He’s serious, very professional. Barcelona now also has players capable of playing in two ways. When we have the ball, with possession; but now also if you go back and go on the counterattack, that’s an option that’s working perfectly.
Xavi Hernandez with his wife
