Xavi has had the privilege of playing in some of the most iconic grounds in football history but one tops it all as his favourite. The Barcelona legend has always had a place in his heart for the atmosphere of English football.
So, it's no surprise that the ground he liked playing at the most is one of the biggest in the Premier League. He particularly liked making the trip to northern England in Champions League competition.
Xavi Revealed Favourite Stadium to Visit
The legendary Spanish midfielder grew up mesmerized by Sir Alex Ferguson’s iconic sides of the 1990s. As Xavi revealed in a 2015 interview (via Tribuna):
"I've always really liked Manchester United. From the team with Paul Ince, Bruce and Pallister. Then I watched Cantona, then Yorke and Cole, the forwards. They were the best in football for a time."
However, Xavi's personal love affair with the Theatre of Dreams truly began in September 1998, when Louis van Gaal handed an 18-year-old Xavi his European debut ending in a 3-3 Champions League classic:
"I made my European debut at Old Trafford. It was 2-2; a great game and Louis van Gaal told me to warm up. But Manchester scored – Beckham, a free kick. I don't really know him but Iker Casillas told me that he's a great lad, a family man. Anyway, I was warming up and the noise from the crowd after he scored – wow. It was so intense. Imagine what it was like for me? I was 18 and had been playing for Barça B in front of 1,000. I'd not even played for the first team, I was still getting the metro to training and there are 50,000 crazy Englishmen screaming in my ear."
Despite the deafening environment, Van Gaal trusted the young academy graduate on the biggest stage:
"I assumed that Van Gaal was not going to make the change, but he insisted. I entered the field and we got a penalty: 3-3. Nicky Butt, he handled the ball and was sent off. Luis Enrique scored it. We pushed for a winner against ten of them, but were happy with 3-3. What an introduction to football, what noise. Old Trafford remains my favourite stadium in Europe."
Across his storied playing career, Xavi faced Manchester United six times, failing to win in his away clashes at Old Trafford (finishing in a 3-3 draw and a 1-0 defeat). Yet, that unforgettable night ensured the Theatre of Dreams would forever hold a special place in his footballing heart.
