In England, footballers are respected more, the game is more noble, there's less cheating. Every Spaniard who goes loves it - and comes back a better player. If I had ever left, it would have been to England.
Interpretation
Xavi praises the respect and integrity of football in England compared to Spain.
In this quote, Xavi reflects on his admiration for English football, highlighting its higher level of respect and integrity compared to the Spanish game. He suggests that the values prevalent in English football could have significantly contributed to a player's development, indicating that he sees England as a place where the sport is played more nobly and honorably.
In practice
This quote could be used in a motivational speech for young athletes seeking to improve their game.
In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.
In football, the result is an impostor. You can do things really, really well but not win. There's something greater than the result, more lasting - a legacy.
In futsal, you see whether a player is really talented. You notice the small details in quality, class and tactical understanding.
I spend the entire 90 minutes looking for space on the pitch. I'm always between the opposition's two holding midfielders and thinking, 'The defence is here, so I get the ball and I go there to where the space is.'
I am a believer in passing the ball on the ground, I was lucky to be part of teams like that at Arsenal, with the French national team and with Monaco and at Barcelona. I know you can win in other ways, but I believe that is the way football should be played.
In these days of modern tennis a player is as strong as his weakest stroke.
My pitching philosophy is simple - keep the ball way from the bat.
In baseball, there is something electrifying about the big leagues. I had read so much about Stan Musial, Ted Williams and Jackie Robinson. I had put those guys on a pedestal. They were something special. I really thought they put their pants on different, rather than one leg at a time.
Almost all of us growing up have played baseball on some level. It has an inside track with people. It has a unifying effect.
You rarely come across the complete footballer, but Scholes is as close to it as you can get. One of my regrets is that the opportunity to play alongside him never presented itself during my career.
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