Funniest teammates. Best goal. Leipzig. | Xavi answers your questions

Xavi answers quickfire questions!

We asked our number 20 YOUR questions.

Who’s he calling with his goal celebration? Who is the best and worst dancer in the team? And what is the Dutch international’s favourite food?

Xavi reveals all that and much more in our big interview.

Interview with Xavi

What sort of person are you?

I think I’m quite a calm person off the pitch. I love to love. I’m a guy who puts family above everything else.

Who do you always call during your goal celebration?

I’m calling my brother. We thought of this celebration together. It’s very special for him and also for my little sister. But if I have to pick a person, it’s for my brother.

Why did you choose the shirt number 20?

All the numbers I’ve worn with other teams were already taken. That’s why I decided on the 20. I like this number, so I’ve chosen it.

What’s the most beautiful goal that you’ve ever scored?

I think it was the goal at home against Crvena zvezda. It was a really beautiful goal. The ball flew in nicely and the celebration was also great. So, everything was perfect.

How did it feel to score your first goal in the Champions League?

It felt really special. I’ve dreamed of playing in this competition since I was a small boy and playing against the best teams in the world is a pleasure. I hope that lots more goals will follow.

Would you rather win the Champions League or the World Cup with the Netherlands?

Both would be really special. I haven’t won any of those trophies yet, but winning the World Cup with your nation is obviously a massive deal. And to win my country’s first World Cup ever would be particularly special. I would go down in my nation’s history books and that’s why I’d probably prefer to win a World Cup.

Do you remember getting your first cap for the Netherlands?

Yes, I can remember my first game for the Oranje really well. It was in the 2022 World Cup round of 16 against the USA. We won 3-1. Getting my first cap in the knockout stages of a World Cup was really special. And the jersey we were wearing was beautiful; everything was perfect.

Who is who favourite Dutch player?

I’ve already seen a lot of great Dutch players, but if I had to choose one, then it would be Arjen Robben because he was unbelievably quick and scored so many goals. He was really important for the Oranje, so I’d say him.

You can speak several languages, but which do you feel most comfortable speaking?

Obviously, we speak Dutch at home, but I was brought up in Spain, so Spanish is also my mother-tongue. On top of that, almost all of my friends are in Spain. So Dutch and Spanish are my two main languages. Then there’s English and I’m pretty much fluent in French. Now I’m enjoying learning German.

Can you already speak some German?

I’m taking classes and I can speak a bit with my teammates. I can say things like “How are you?” and “all good” in German; stuff like that is easy enough.

Who in the team has the best and worst taste in music?

Mo Simakan or Castello Jr., because they listen to similar music to me. And the worst? He always does the music on matchdays, but I don’t know why. It’s David Raum. Yeah, I’m going for him (laughs).

Which players in the team do you get along the best with?

I have a good relationship with everyone, but I spend the most time with Doudou, Sima, Castello, Chadaille, Ilaix and Lois. That’s sort of the French connection here at RBL. Lots of us are new and that brought us together straight away. I think that’s why we have a really good connection.

Who’s your funniest teammate?

There’s a lot of funny lads, but if I had to choose I’d say Chadaille, because I already knew him from PSG. He’s the youngest and doesn’t like being the youngest, but that’s just the way it is and we have a lot of fun with him.

How do you think of your celebrations?

We spend a lot of time together in the changing room and travelling around. We’re all young lads, so we watch lots of TikTok dances. One time we agreed that if one person out of our group scores a goal, then we can do a dance together. That’s how it happened and now it’s just completely normal that we try and do a dance when one of us scores.

Who’s the best and the worst dancer in the team?

The worst dancer is definitely Doudou! (laughs) I’m also not the best dancer. Everyone has got their own moves on the dance floor, but I’d say that everyone in the French group can dance well.

What do you do in your spare time?

I try to rest in my spare time. When my family are there, I like to play games with them, for example Uno. We also talk to each other, laugh together and go for food. I of course don’t have much time for things like this, but when I do, I like to do them. I would say they’re very normal things.

What is your favourite place in Leipzig?

I haven’t seen much of the city yet. As I said, we have a game every three days, so i don’t have much time. I lived in a hotel in the city centre and used to to go out to eat more then.

What was it like to go from Spain, to France, to the Netherlands and now to Germany?

Really good. I’m someone who can adapt very quickly, not just to new places, but also to new teammates. I quickly felt well looked after – that’s really important. It’s fun to get to know a new country and a new culture. I now feel at home and that’s good. I like it in Leipzig.

What would you’ve been if you weren’t a footballer?

I’m often asked that. I don’t know. Since I was a little boy, I always wanted to be one of the best footballers in the world, so the question never came up. I don’t have any Plan B in general, so I don’t know. Probably something to do with football – I definitely wouldn’t have become a teacher or a policeman.

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Would you rather go deep sea diving or skydiving?

I’d prefer to go diving because I really like going swimming. I also like skydiving and it’s something special, but it’s also a little bit scary.

Which Dutch speciality should we try?

There are lots of Dutch specialities, but I can also recommend lots of Surinamese dishes as a result of my roots and my family. I mostly eat Surinamese food. I’ll tell you a few names and you can then search them up: There’s bami, Saoto soup or roti. They’re my favourite meals.

Do you prefer Brussels sprouts with or without Joppie sauce?

With, I’d say. It’s a bit strange, no? I’ve got no idea, but I’ll choose with.

What’s your favourite German food?

I still have to try German food. Here at the club, we eat typical food for an athlete, so I haven’t had German food yet. If you could recommend me something, I would definitely try it.