Xavi (1): "Home-grown players are easier criticized"

In an interview with Catalan sports paper Sport, Barcelona midfielder Xavi talked about the season so far.

In our last interview you assured that you had silenced many critics, but that you wanted to silence many more. Have you achieved this?
I don't bother thinking about this, but if those that I silence are those whom love to criticize, then let it be.

And what do you say to those that said that you always chose the easy pass and never took risks?
That accusation is now irrelevant.

Why do you think that they were so critical of you?
Because there's the feeling that it's always easier to criticize the home-grown players.

Without doubt, no one argues about all that you've won, such as the European Cup and the title of that competition's best player.
Well, football is a momentary thing. Although it's true that I've been gaining importance to the media.

For Guardiola you are an indispensable player.
There's nobody here that's indispensable. In this Barca, anybody that believes that their spot is assured is a dead man.

In all matters, you are the only player that hasn't been rotated.
Eventually it'll happen. It's impossible to play all of the sixty or seventy matches of a season. It's impossible to last the entire year in first line. I'm not Superman.

So you support the rotations?
Guardiola explained it clearly. He told us the truth, that we will all play. An example proving that he didn't lie is Gudjohnsen. He is working hard and is playing many minutes to prove himself. The coach has kept his word and the players are responding like they should.

Do you feel that you're in the best moment of your career?
I feel important to the team. I also feel that my playing helps the squad, that the fans love me and that the rivals respect me. And I couldn't ask for more.

Translated by Al

This was the first part of this interview. The other parts will follow later this week.