Xavi Hernández's eighth league title

Xavi Hernández continues to add to his already bursting cabinet full of silverware. Out on the field last Sunday at the Vicente Calderón the man from Terrassa, just outside of Barcelona, enjoyed his eighth league title in 17 seasons as a blaugrana - a great achievement for a player who, aside from being the Barça player who has won most trophies and made most appearances for the Club, has also been the fulcrum of the team in recent years.

The midfielder made his debut in the league on 3 October 1998 at Mestalla in a 3-1 win over Valencia. That season Xavi played 17 games for the first team, winning his first league title in the process. Now, at 35 years of age, Xavi Hernández has eight league titles to his name and in all eight he has played a vital role. Only in his first season with the first team and in season 2005/06 when he suffered a series knee injury has the Barça captain dipped under the figure of 30 appearances in each of those championship winning campaigns.

This season Xavi has played 30 games in the league, 18 in the starting eleven, scoring twice. With him on the field Barça have won 25 games, drawn 2 and lost 3.

23 trophies

Of the current FC Barcelona squad only Messi and Iniesta with seven leagues each are anywhere near Xavi, who could end the season with another Spanish Cup and Champions League in his trophy cabinet. At the moment the Barça number 6 has 23 titles in his collection – 8 leagues, 3 Champions Leagues, 2 Spanish Cups, 6 Spanish Super Cups, 2 European Super Cups and 2 World Club Cups. Those figures bring him level with former Real Madrid player Paco Gento as the player in Spanish Football with most titles. With the national side Xavi can also add the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

This season the blaugrana captain, as well as being the Barça players with most appearances for the Club on 763, has joined a select band of footballers who have made more than 500 league appearances in Spain.