Saturday's match between Barcelona and Juventus will see the final game together for three of the most influential midfielders in modern football history: Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets. All of them have played their entire careers with Los Blaugranas, and since Hernández is set to leave the club when the season ends, this might be the last time Barcelona's fans will be enjoying their class together.
Although Xavi is not a regular starter with Los Culés, he has made quite an impact alongside Iniesta and Busquets. The midfielder from Terrassa has won three Champions League titles with his beloved side as well as Iniesta, while Busquets is looking to add another trophy to his resume. Can this stats grant them a spot among the top performers in this tournament?
For the veteran midfielder, Busquets has all it takes to be considered one of the greatest. He stated prior to Saturday's match that "Busi" could be the best all-around midfielder in the game for years to come, even better than he was.
Xavi: "Busquets is the player with the best understanding of football in the world. His game intelligence on the pitch is a wonder." [uefa]
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) June 5, 2015
Hernández Creus also had kind words for Iniesta, who he has known since both played in Barcelona's youth categories. The midfielder from Fuentealbilla has been Xavi's partner in crime for most of his career, and right now, he is the only player in Barcelona's lineup that survives from the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal.
Xavi: "Iniesta always wants the ball, never hides. That isn't easy to find. An absolute pleasure to have played with him for so many years."
— barcastuff (@barcastuff) June 5, 2015
When you look at these players stats and trophies, you have to consider them among the best in the game. Xavi and Iniesta could make history this Saturday if they win against Juventus. Lifting four Champions League titles is something that only Clarence Seedorf has been able to do. It is safe to say that both can be considered among the greatest Champions League performers of all time. Busquets is in line to win his third trophy, and given the influence he has as one of the best holding midfielders in the business, it is safe to say that he is also among the best ever in this competition.
Finally, there is an element of class and perseverance that has to be considered. If he plays this Saturday, Xavi will be the player with the most caps in Champions League history with 151 games played. Even if his record is surpassed by Iker Casillas, there's a slight possibility that a field player can catch up with him. And even if they do, the level of excellence reached by Hernandez will be surely hard to find.
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