Playing quality football was rewarded: Xavi Hernandez on Spain's World Cup win

On a chilly evening at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg exactly one year ago, Holland were up with the challenge to halt the Spanish juggernaut. They came out with a cynical intent, targeting the Spanish foot, rather than the ball. But La Roja weren’t intimidated. They stuck to their philosophy and by rallying around their midfield mainstay,

Xavi Hernandez, outwitted the Dutch to lift their maiden World Cup title. In an interview with DNA, the Spanish playmaker relives their glory moment when they shed their underachiever’s tag


How was the dressing room atmosphere before the final kick-off?
There was a lot of chattering, everyone was trying to motivate the other. There was slight nervousness but a lot of confidence as well. We knew if we played as we had throughout that one month, we had a chance (to win).

And how was it after 120 minutes?
Amazing…amazing. It is difficult to describe how it was. Everyone was so proud of what we had achieved. We celebrated all night. You saw how it was, all of us went crazy. Totally. It is one of the best days of my life.

Spain were termed as underachievers until then. Was there a lot of pressure?
Pressure is always there when you play at this level. Spain aren’t used to winning major titles like this, but we managed it at Euro 2008 and then the World Cup. What’s more, I’d highlight the fact that we’ve done it by playing good, quality football, a commitment that deserves to be rewarded.

You make passing and create space look easy. Is it really that simple?
You need to think. Think quickly, look for spaces. That’s what I do. People who haven’t played don’t always realise how hard that is. I see space and I pass.

At what point in the tournament did the team actually believe that there was a chance to win the World Cup?
Throughout the tournament, we were high on confidence. There was not one single moment, though. After we entered the knock-out rounds, every match was like a final for us. So that was our attitude. Each of us realised that one slip-up could cost us dearly.

Many say Spain were boring to watch.
It’s not that we were boring, it is the other team that was. What did Holland look for? Penalties? If people found us boring, it was because the opposition played that way. Most of the teams played a good defensive system and waited for chances from dead balls.

Did the fact that seven of the starting 11 were from Barcelona make things simpler?
It helps because you know how your teammate is going to reach when he is in a particular situation. When you know someone well, things become much simpler; and that’s true in just about anything.

What about the folks from Real Madrid? Does it come across your mind that you are playing alongside your biggest rivals?
When we play for Spain, we have a common goal. We are mature enough to understand that. We sincerely believe that we must not lose our footballing ideals. Spain are known for their style of play. The fans wouldn’t understand if we played any other way.