Injury-hit Xavi puts World Cup on the line
Source: Agencies |
May 3, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BARCELONA'S Xavi Hernandez is playing with a muscle injury that could keep him out of the World Cup.
Xavi said after Saturday's 4-1 win at Villarreal he was playing with a three-centimeter tear just above his calf.
"The truth is I'm carrying a number of aches but the team has a lot on the line and I want to be here," said Xavi after scoring one goal and assisting on two others. "There's only three games left so I have to push and if I'm pushing it's because I think I'm OK."
Xavi said he would be fit to play in the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa, but coach Pep Guardiola wasn't so sure. "Xavi's playing with an injury that could see him miss out on the World Cup," Guardiola said. "He's an example to all of us. He's made this extra effort because he knows he can't leave us on our own now. Fortunately (the injury) hasn't relapsed."
Xavi was named Spain's top player during its European championship winning run two years ago.
Barcelona, with 90, leads Real Madrid by four points in the Spanish league, although Real has a game in hand against Osasuna.
On Saturday, Lionel Messi scored twice to help Barcelona shake off the disappointment of its midweek Champions League semifinal exit with victory over Villarreal.
Any thoughts that tired limbs or damaged morale might affect the defense of its league title were misplaced as Messi, Xavi and Bojan Krkic netted in the first half at the Madrigal. World Player of the Year Messi then bagged his second goal near the end to take his league tally for the season to 29.
Earlier, Nikola Zigic scored twice to lead Valencia to a 2-0 victory at Espanyol that strengthened its hold on third place and Spain's last automatic Champions League qualification slot.
Valencia has 65 points, nine ahead of fourth-placed Real Mallorca which was at Athletic Bilbao yesterday.
Xavi said after Saturday's 4-1 win at Villarreal he was playing with a three-centimeter tear just above his calf.
"The truth is I'm carrying a number of aches but the team has a lot on the line and I want to be here," said Xavi after scoring one goal and assisting on two others. "There's only three games left so I have to push and if I'm pushing it's because I think I'm OK."
Xavi said he would be fit to play in the June 11-July 11 tournament in South Africa, but coach Pep Guardiola wasn't so sure. "Xavi's playing with an injury that could see him miss out on the World Cup," Guardiola said. "He's an example to all of us. He's made this extra effort because he knows he can't leave us on our own now. Fortunately (the injury) hasn't relapsed."
Xavi was named Spain's top player during its European championship winning run two years ago.
Barcelona, with 90, leads Real Madrid by four points in the Spanish league, although Real has a game in hand against Osasuna.
On Saturday, Lionel Messi scored twice to help Barcelona shake off the disappointment of its midweek Champions League semifinal exit with victory over Villarreal.
Any thoughts that tired limbs or damaged morale might affect the defense of its league title were misplaced as Messi, Xavi and Bojan Krkic netted in the first half at the Madrigal. World Player of the Year Messi then bagged his second goal near the end to take his league tally for the season to 29.
Earlier, Nikola Zigic scored twice to lead Valencia to a 2-0 victory at Espanyol that strengthened its hold on third place and Spain's last automatic Champions League qualification slot.
Valencia has 65 points, nine ahead of fourth-placed Real Mallorca which was at Athletic Bilbao yesterday.
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