Xavi Hernández promised Miquel, a 10-year-old child fighting cancer

Xavi Hernández kept his promise to a 10-year-old cancer sufferer, Miquel in Paris this Tuesday when he dedicated the goal he scored form the penalty spot to give Barça a 1-2 lead to the youngster, whose story he had heard on a local radio station.

A few weeks ago to mark World Cancer Day, a local radio station produced a programme about children fighting the disease and spoke to a number of them at the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu and the Casa dels Xuklis. Miquel was one of them – he’s been fighting leukaemia since he was three and was of his main wishes was to meet Xavi. Having heard the programme, Xavi later visited the hospital to present the youngster with a signed shirt and make him two promises: when you are cured, I’ll take you to a Barça training session and if I score against Milan, I’ll dedicate it to you by rubbing my head. He didn’t score against the Italians, but when he scored the penalty in Paris, he kept his promise to Miquel and dedicated the goal to him.

150 games in Europe

Xavi made his 150th European appearance in the game against PSG, with 134 games in the Champions League – just 10 short of the record held by Raul and Ryan Giggs – 13 in the UEFA Cup and three in the European Super Cup. Another memorable milestone for the player who has played most games for Barça in the history of the Club.

First ever penalty for the Club

The goal in Paris was also a landmark - his first since he made his debut in 1998 from the penalty spot. There were no nerves though, as with Messi off the pitch, the captain stepped up and coolly slotted it home, before dedicating it to Miquel.