Doha: Former FC Barcelona captain and dominant Al Sadd midfielder Xavi Hernandez says he has seen from close quarters how quickly Qatar is preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner made these remarks during an interview with the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy in Doha.
“I have seen a country with a total focus on construction, not only the stadiums but also the infrastructure. They are building a new metro system to make sure the traffic is not so dense. They are preparing very well on all these fronts, and they have time to solve any challenges they face. Qatar can host a fantastic and historic World Cup for football,” Xavi said.
The Terrassa-born midfielder, who collected an astonishing 28 titles in a glittering career with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, also sent a clear message to those who criticize Qatar without having been to the country.
“My message is that people should come and see the country. People talk about Qatar without having been here. They have to come here and share time with the people, get to know the people – they are good people who put a lot of emphasis on sports. I have gotten to know people who decide things in Qatar and they are very noble, so I would say to the people who talk badly about Qatar to come here and see it.”
Looking out across Khalifa International Stadium – the first proposed host venue to be completed for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar when major construction concludes at the end of this year – Xavi said visiting fans had something to look forward to in six years’ time.
“Khalifa International Stadium will be spectacular. All of the stadiums will be marvellous and people will be surprised because the stadium designs are spectacular. People will enjoy this World Cup and in December the weather is great to really enjoy the country.”
The Catalan midfielder also revealed some of his favourite places in Qatar after making the move from Barcelona last summer.
“It is a fantastic country, very hospitable. You have different types of entertainment, great cuisine, leisure activities for different budgets. I like Katara cultural village, which is fantastic, the Pearl, where you can go for a nice walk. You also have the desert, where you can go for a safari, and Dukhan is nearby, where my daughter was born. It is a small country but a very welcoming one. My family and I feel very comfortable here.”
Moving onto the English football scene, the Al Sadd skipper says his long-time coach Pep Guardiola will take English football to greater heights once he takes over at Manchester City this summer.
“It is a big opportunity for him at Manchester City. I think he will change the face of English football,” Xavi said. The Spanish midfielder said Guardiola would revolutionise the way football is played in England. .
“If there is anyone capable of changing that mentality, it is Guardiola. It is a great opportunity but there will also be a lot of pressure, because everyone always expects a lot from Pep Guardiola. But he is without doubt one of the best coaches in the world at the moment.”
The skillful midfielder, who was a crucial part of Guardiola’s team at Barcelona, added that it was Guardiola’s attention to detail which made him such an innovative force in world football. “Guardiola thinks about football all the time, he is obsessive in his attention to detail. We still talk regularly and discuss football.”
With the midfield maestro placing huge importance on Guardiola’s arrival in England, Xavi also pointed out that the ‘tiki-taka’ philosophy of play which he has come to embody is also being taken up in Qatar.
“There are many teams here in Qatar who have taken on the philosophy of Barcelona and the Spanish national team, or even now like the German team, they like to play an attacking style of football with domination of possession. A lot of coaches here are working in this style now. There are different styles in the league here but the coaches are well prepared, and the Qatar Stars League will continue improving,” Xavi added.
The Peninsula
