FC Barcelona midfield maestro and Spanish international Xavi Hernandez has equalled former Barcelona legend Migueli’s record of 195 league victories despite playing 49 fewer matches.

The 3-0 victory against Valencia was doubly pleasing for Xavi Hernandez. On the one hand the three points were a huge morale boost for the team but in addition he equalled Migueli’s record of 195 league wins.

195 wins in 342 matches

However, Xavi has only needed 342 matches to accumulate 195 victories while the legendary defender took 391 matches. Xavi has been on the winning side in 57% of Barça’s league matches. Guillermo Amor (190) is third in the ranking of league victories but, in fact, has a better percentage record (61%). He is followed by team captain Carles Puyol, with 185 victories in 320 league matches.

The most used outfield player

Xavi is the most used outfield player in the 2009/10 season. He’s played in 25 of the 26 matches, accumulated 2,123 minutes and has only missed the game against Racing Santander in the Camp Nou (4-0). Only goalkeeper Victor Valdés has a 100% league record.

The top four players with most League victories

Name—W—-M—-%
Xavi—-195–342–57
Migueli-195–391–49.9
Amor—190–311–61
Puyol—185–320–57.8

Speaking in a recent press conference FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes spoke of the team’s current status, Lionel Messi and a possible call up to international duty.

Referring to Messi he said, “Everything has added to his evolution, having won titles with Barcelona has allowed him to grow. His secret is that he always has a desire to play football and to become a better player. If he doesn’t lose that he could become the best in the history of the game if he isn’t already. He deserves all of the positive adjectives that have been said of him: splendid, marvelous, grandiose….he’s the best in the world and shows it by scoring when given the opportunity, like yesterday when he scored three.”

He also commented about the team’s superior performance during the second half against Valencia by saying “our defensive line was too close to the area in the first half. The tactical change helped create spaces and add more depth.” Valdes made an all important save when the blaugrana were up by a goal. He stopped a one vs one opportunity against Zigic which added to his repertoire of impressive saves throughout the season. “I tried to do what I always do, maintain position and close down the space.”

Valdes recognized his great run of form by saying, “I’m having a good season, personally and as a group, and now I can only hope that it translates to titles. In the case that I’m called up to the national team I’d go with a lot of pride and illusion. But the coach has a difficult job, the level of goalkeepers in Spain is very high.”

Giving his opinion on the ever present subject of Real Madrid and the impending showdown on April 11th, Valdes mentioned, “it’ll be important for many reasons, from an emotional perspective as well as a sporting one.” He also reminded everyone that “there are plenty of games before Real Madrid that are equally important. The important thing is to win the three points, everything else is relative at this point.”

Finally, Valdes called Wednesday’s game against Stuttgart “a very important game” and echoed that the team must “remain concentrated” in order to get a good result.

ONE STOPS THEM . . . THE OTHER SCORES THEM

Champion ‘Cracks’

Valdés is the best goalkeeper of Europe and  life insurance for Barça

Messi scores a goal per game in la Liga and has statistics to match Eto’o from last season

[Non Barça Related]

[R. Madrid] Ronaldo is treated with favor – He insulted a linesman and provoked and belittled the rival players

[Champions League] Sevilla-CSAK Moscow (20:45, TV-1) – Sevilla can make history

[Champions League] Chelsea-Inter (20:45, GolT) Mourinho plays against his ex

[Football] The drama of Beckham – operated on, he loses the World Cup

MESSI WANTS TO GO TO THE BERNABÉU

He feels that 2010 is another great year and he wants to win la Liga and the Champions League in Madrid

He will not forget that Madrid used a video of him to save Cristiano from his elbowing of Mtiliga

He opts for it all

The fans ask for Henry against Stuttgart

Valdés, better than Casillas, Diego Lopéz, Reina and Palop

“Tots som Barça” (We all are Barça) is Sandro Rosell’s slogan

Alves: “Many people want us to be eliminated” (by Stuttgart).

[Non Barça Related]

[Champions League: Sevilla-CSAK Moscow] Pizjuán wants to make history