Xavi: Smashing Real Madrid 5-0 the pinnacle of my career

The Spanish midfielder still has fond memories of the heavy win over Jose Mourinho’s side, while revealing he would have enjoyed playing for Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona midfielder Xavi has singled out the 5-0 Clasico win over Real Madrid in November 2010 as the pinnacle of his career.

The veteran playmaker, 35, has in several Champions League finals, La Liga title deciders and three major finals with Spain in a stunning career to date.

However, the humbling of Jose Mourinho’s side at Camp Nou remains Xavi’s fondest memory due to the “sublime” football of his Barca side which followed some verbal jousting from the visitors.

“The match I remember most fondly? The pinnacle, the crowning game, was the 5-0 against Real Madrid,” Xavi told Marca.

“Nothing compares, although the 6-2 away was also amazing. What football, what dominance. We had the ball all the time: when we lost it, we won it back instantly. It was football at its most sublime.

“The Real Madrid players’ heads had dropped as they came off 2-0 down at the break. We ran into the dressing room: we couldn’t wait for the second half to begin. We could have scored even more.

“We were gunning for them because of everything they’d been saying about us.”

The ex-Spain international went on to reveal he has always had a soft spot for Athletic Bilbao and would have liked to play for the Basque side.

“I love Bilbao. I was there at Christmas, for the Basque Country versus Catalonia match, and though I was wearing a cap, people stopped me on the street. They treated with me such affection and admiration.

“It’s a shame I didn’t get to play for Athletic for a couple of years.”

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