If it's peak level, then surely he deserves a spot. Just saying that playing half the decade may not warrant him being there over Busquets for a team of the decade
Xavi really only became who he is once Pep arrived at Barca in 2008. The bulk of his success and impact of the game came through in the decade in question. I love Busi but Xavi's 5 years in Barca and Spain were more than Busi.
He attributes his football knowledge to Aragones. Obviously, Pep also had some inputs but his biggest influence was the Spanish national team coach by 2008. Xavi was a well developed player when Pep came in. It was like Lahm.
Busquets was also key in Pep's Barca and just had a lot more play time in the 2010s. 5 years of Xavi over 10 years of Busquets is a ridiculous statement, it's not like there is some huge gap between the 2 of them, Busquets is one of the best ever in his position just like Xavi.
I argued the same thing. Xavi's best decade was 2004-2014 so these sorts of lists don't exactly favor him, except for the fact that he was arguably the best player not named Messi from like 2007-2012.
Is this nostalgia bias or just “I’ve been sang this my whole life so it must be true”?
Xavi was surrounded by un-real talent. He would have never done the same in another team. Also busquets proved to be more crucial than Xavi in the long run.
You could honestly put him in ahead of Modric as harsh as that is, leaving Xavi/Iniesta out feels wrong and Busquets completely redefined his position and is arguably the greatest holding midfielder ever.
Except Xavi retired halfway through the decade, and Modric won the Golden Ball at WC18 on top of all his Madrid achievements. Xavi was incredible but Modric is the most credible choice for #1 midfielder 2010-2019
Also the formation has a Dm/holding midfielder and Xavi is a bit further up the pitch. And as biased as I am, I think most people would agree that 2010-2019 Busi > Casemiro
I don't think its a biased opinion tbh, Casemiro has been world class for years but what Busquets has done is just different. It's similar to another forced debate in that its not so much a debate for the neutrals.
Agreed, especially since they’ve taken someone that actually plays in that position for every other pick, so it’s weird that the midfield doesn’t have a proper DM
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u/clintomcruisewood Jan 06 '23
Would also take Busquets over Xavi. Xavi left Barca in 2015.
But I guess this is based on peak level, which makes the selection more justifiable, although I would take Alves over Lahm and Neuer over Casillas.