Barcelona's Xavi Thanks Team At FIFA Awards

Xavi might well have won the European Championships with Spain, but the midfielder did not leave any doubts as to who he was representing at the conference for the FIFA World Player award today.

The Barcelona midfielder declared that he is there as a Catalan, before admitting that he was proud to be the first Catalan to be nominated, and that he expects more to follow.

The influential midfielder was named best player of the European Championship tournament by UEFA in the summer, but paid tribute to the work of the victorious Spanish team.

"It is thanks to the team that I am able to be here, and any of them could be here with me," he declared.

The Catalan is up against some stiff competition for the award in the form of Barcelona team-mate, Lionel Messi, Spanish team-mate, Fernando Torres, and also Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian midfielder Kaká.

He admitted that in previous seasons he has always received awards with the team, rather than on a personal level, before also acknowledging that the team influences who wins this award.

Xavi racked up his 300th appearance for Barcelona at the weekend and marked it with a goal against Osasuna and also a victory.

The midfielder has come up through the ranks with the Catalan club to become one of their most recognised players, and he is still just 28-years-old.

James Walker-Roberts, Goal.com