Xavi Backs Lamine Yamal for Ballon d'Or and Reflects on Barcelona Legacy Ahead of Netherlands Debut
The newly appointed Netherlands coach, Xavi Hernandez, has shown strong confidence in Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal as a contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Speaking at the KNVB headquarters in Zeist before his first match in charge against Germany, Xavi praised the 19-year-old forward as an exceptional talent of his generation.
While acknowledging Lionel Messi’s impressive World Cup performance, Xavi emphasized that Spain’s World Cup champions deserve top recognition, yet he remains convinced that Yamal will soon dominate the global stage.
Legacy at Barcelona and Praise for Hansi Flick
Xavi took a moment to reflect on his time managing Barcelona, sharing pride in nurturing academy players like Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Pau Cubarsi into champions. He noted the challenges faced during one of the club’s toughest financial periods in 25 years but highlighted his role in stabilizing the team.
"We did our bit to help this generation achieve things," Xavi said. "If we were able to contribute in some way to the club’s recovery during what was practically the worst period in its history, we are already happy. Lamine is special, he’s different, he’s 19 and he’ll undoubtedly win it, but this would be a good year for him to win it now."
The 46-year-old also praised current Barcelona manager Hansi Flick for maintaining the club’s strong progress.
Dutch Football Philosophy Aligns with Xavi’s Approach
Turning to his new role with the Netherlands, Xavi pointed out the tactical similarities between Dutch football and Barcelona’s style, especially their emphasis on positional play and attacking football. His transition to the KNVB complex in Zeist has been smooth, with daily training sessions involving cycling commutes for players and staff.
"We have many connections with this country at a footballing level," Xavi explained. "People want to see attacking, they want to see positional play, the same philosophy we have in Barcelona. I feel this connection."
Upcoming UEFA Nations League Challenges
Xavi’s tenure starts with a high-profile UEFA Nations League match against Germany at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Despite the absence of key players Frenkie de Jong and Xavi Simons due to injury, Xavi remains optimistic about his squad's chances.
The Netherlands face a demanding group stage, including fixtures against Serbia and Greece, and Xavi is determined to make an immediate tactical impact on home turf.
- Match: Netherlands vs Germany
- Date: 24 Sept 2026
- Time: 21:45
- Location: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
- Upcoming Matches:
- 10 Oct 2026 - Barcelona vs Getafe at 19:30
