created a special WhatsApp chat that will receive a prize in Ibiza | Relief

While most mortals, due to the current pace of life and accumulated stress, lose friends along the way for not returning some calls, receive daily beatings for not responding to messages in a timely manner, and get used to having faces made at them . does not knock at home with the required frequency, Javi Hernandez retains detail even in the worst of times. This season, without moving on, while critics attacked his Barça results and tensions were felt on all sides at the club, the coach took refuge in his memory in search of affection, support and common sense.

It was a month and a half ago when the Terrace coach, tired of the present, dared to restore the sensations by looking back at the past. In mid-April, just as his team was eliminated from the Champions League at the hands of PSG (on the 16th) and lost the Clasico (five days later, on the 21st), gave form, joy and support to a special WhatsApp group. This was on his own initiative, perhaps to distract from the noise outside, but the main purpose was to remind the staff that theyIt’s been 25 years since the Under-20 World Cup was won in Nigeria and now, more than ever, it was fitting to celebrate in style.

In this special conversation, Xavi invited 17 colleagues with whom he shared an unforgettable experience on April 24 and achieved one of the most important milestones in his career. The U-20 team beat Japan 4-0 in the final, thanks to goals from Barquero and Gabri and a brace from Pablo Cuñago at the Surelere Stadium in Lagos. Xavi, convinced that his proposal to celebrate this championship would be met with the greatest enthusiasm, gradually added champions who shone with their own light under the guidance of coach Iñaki Saez.

Chat for many carats: Aranzubia (today goalkeeper coach at Athletic), Iker Casillas (ambassador of Real Madrid and La Liga), Marchena (TVE commentator and director of its training academy), David Aganzo (President of the AFE), Gonzalo Colsa (Director of the Racing quarry), Alvaro Rubio (technical assistant in Valladolid), Ruben Suarez (he retired in 2018 at Acero), Alex Lombardero (Betis scout) Fran Yeste (businessman and oenology enthusiast), Pablo Cuñago (Bronze ball in this tournament) Jose Barquero (Numancia star and now coach), Gabri (technician who went through the Barça youth academy and half of Catalonia), Fernando Varela (he spent his career at Betis), Pablo Orbais (he tried out on the bench at Huesca with Leo Franco, and is now in the Osasuna youth academy) David Bermudo (he was the second coach) Francisco Juzue (almost always in Osasuna) and Pablo Coira (he retired in Honvéd in 2010).

Xavi’s predisposition at such an early stage surprised many. Although the Barcelona coach is still very attentive to detail and always seems close when one of his colleagues in the dressing room stops by Can Barça to greet him, the situation he faced on the bench did not encourage him to maintain correspondence now as before. In fact, someone wrote to him during his worst weeks to cheer him up, but received no response. For this reason, most of them were amazed when, together with those with whom they were connected around him, they saw on their mobile phones the group created by Xavi himself and, above all, his persistence to move forward with such careful preparation. His determination to bring everyone back together was so great that it seems that he has achieved this and his struggle will be rewarded.

Details

Although nothing has been officially announced yet, there is a good chance that this fine U-20 team will play a memorable friendly in Ibiza next Saturday, June 8th. As Relevo learned, revealing the details of this reunion is not easy. At first it was assumed that tronio’s various competitors would give the event greater appeal, but logistics required preparation for which there was no time. Eventually, a consensus was reached to create an AFE national team with a large number of former national footballers who would be easier to recruit as they were used to participating in these types of events. Flights and hotels are currently being booked and the response from most international organizations has been positive. Although not all of them retain the same shape…

The fact that Ibiza was chosen is due to the fact that it is a holiday destination that all the main characters often visit. Some of them already have the habit of seeing each other on the island every year, sharing a pool, a table and tablecloth with Laby Champion and even a disco. And also because the Absolute team are playing very close on the same day, in a friendly against Northern Ireland in Palma de Mallorca, just before traveling to Germany for a European Cup match. For several U-20 players who are now U-45, the plan is perfect for combining both competitions. A tribute match in the morning or afternoon, and then support the team before such an important event. Either in person (as some do) or via television (as others prefer). At the end of the day, the most important thing is to celebrate. And in the absence of titles at the present time, it is useful to remember what has already been achieved.