Xavi considers Spain to be a candidate to win Euro 2016
In comments to the organisers of Qatar 2022, Xavi Hernandez has provided his opinion on the upcoming European Championships.
He asserted: "Spain is one of the candidates to lift the Euro 2016 trophy. For me there are many teams amongst the favourites, France, Germany, Portugal, Italy and England, who have the pressure of history to lift an important title. Spain has a team to compete well and go far."
Although according to the player "everything will depend on small details, how the knockout stages are played, that will define the tournament."
Xavi will be watching the competition from his sofa in Barcelona, for the first time since making his debut with the national team on November 15, 2000.
The man who was the brains behind the Spanish side that won the trophy in 2008 and 2012, assured that despite the "difficult" group in which Spain had been drawn, that he considers his former Barça team mates Busquets and Iniesta to be key in maintaining the current Spanish reign over Europe.
"For me, those who dictate the style of Spain at this moment in time are Iniesta and Busquets, and they have to take the weight of the team on their shoulders, and also lead by example on the pitch, where they will play very important roles.
They have a lot of experience in big tournaments and for many years have had a very important function in the Barcelona team, they will be decisive", states the Al Sadd midfielder.
Xavi played the last of his 133 international games in 2014. Now playing in the Qatari league, he has praised the current generation of players from that country, which includes recent Villarreal signing, Akram Afif.
