Xavi believes Denis Suarez is his natural heir at Barcelona

Denis Suarez and Xavi Hernandez have a special connection. They share a passion for football, a similar concept of play, and despite the age gap, a similar situation in a reccurrent debate.

If they claimed at first Xavi was incompatible with Andres Iniesta because they were too similar, now it's Denis who is going through the same processs, obliged to prove each time he plays he can link up with the Manchegan midfielder. 

Xavi and Denis have had frequent contact and in recent weeks, the Al Sadd player has told the Galician that he has confidence he can become his natural successor in the Barcelona team, forming a duo with Iniesta.

Although it has been a few months since they met in person (at Denis' presentation in July), they have kept a fluid relationship. Xavi has supported Denis, encouraging him to keep his confidence in his play, conscious that he will fit the team perfectly. In the end, Xavi and Iniesta soved the arguments over them with nothing less than the best era in the club's history.

Denis, for his part, recognised that one of the motives he returned to Catalonia was advice from Xavi. "It was him who told me that I would return when I went to Sevilla. I always watched him, he told me that he was happy I came back, for me it's amazing that he's focused on me."

There was another detail. "Xavi liked it that I could take his number," added Denis, of the No 6 shirt. It's not a coincidence that he's wearing it.

Against Borussia Monchengladbach he achieved two things. One, making his Champions League debut. And two, showing that connection with Iniesta. They had only played together previously once, at Celta in Balaidos. For 14 minutes in the second half in which Barcelona improved a lot, though not enough to avoid defeat.

Someone close to Denis told SPORT: "Denis believes in himself a lot. Now the only thing he needs is games, continuity, to be able to play 10 or 12 times to show the football he has inside."