“Sometimes it’s hard”| Xavi on his mindset and winning mentality

Attention podcast fans!

Our attacking star Xavi and RBL mental performance coach Dr. Peter Schneider were guests on the Red Bull podcast “Mind Set Win”.

Xavi gives exciting insights into the life of a professional athlete and explains how mental strength and switching off from football are key to his success.

Find a summary of their conversation here. You can also find the whole talk on the Mind Set Win YouTube channel.

Xavi on …

… mental and physical strength

“In my opinion, the mental part is the most important. Of course the physical side is also important – you have to be fit, but the pressure that you have as a footballer in a top club, you have to perform. The mental side is very important to me. To me that means you have to be prepared.”

… the right mindset for football

“It’s hard sometimes because as a footballer you’re in a bubble – you want to do everything perfectly, you want to be a role model and show everyone that you’re here to perform week in week out. There are weeks that you control. And then there are weeks when you fall and get back up again. It’s full of emotions.”

… worrying what others think of him

“If people I don’t know personally say negative things about me, it doesn’t affect me that much. Things are different when criticism or advice comes from my family. For example, if my mother says something to me, I listen to her.”

… the time he spent with idol Neymar at PSG

“I grew up in Barcelona, so for me Lionel Messi is the best. Neymar has been my idol since I was little. I remember when I was 12 I did a commercial with him and my eyes got bigger and bigger. From that day on, my dream was that one day I would be able to stand on the pitch with him. This dream became a reality.”