The cultured midfielder Xavi Hernandez i Creus was presented with this 2008 UEFA European Football Championship medal after leading the Spanish National Soccer Team to a historic victory over Germany in the UEFA Euro 2008 Final at Vienna’s Ernst-Hapel-Stadion. Xavi, a midfielder of unparalleled passing ability, was an integral part of Spain’s 1-0 victory against a disciplined Germany team. Xavi was named the player of the tournament by FIFA after leading Spain to their first international honors since the 1964 European Championship. This victory began an era of Spanish dominance like never before, with La Furia Roja winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship with Spain’s unbeatable tiki-taka game plan run to perfection by their 5’6” talisman.

Domestically, Xavi enjoyed the same role and success with FC Barcelona, his team since the age of 11. Xavi debuted with the blaugrana as a teenager in 1998, accumulating eight La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies before decamping to Qatar’s Al Sadd for the final seasons of his decorated career. Today, Xavi is the manager of Al Sadd and widely regarded as the greatest central midfielder of his generation.

Offered in this lot is a winners’ medal from the 2008 UEFA European Football Championship originally presented to Xavi. The medal features “UEFA Euro 2008 / Austria Switzerland” etched in high-relief on the front, as well as the UEFA Euro 2008 logo. Etched in high-relief on the reverse side of the medal is “UEFA Euro 2008 / Coupe Henri Delaunay” and an image of the Coupe Henri Delaunay. The medal is attached to a red and white UEFA Euro 2008 ribbon. This medal comes with a Letter of Provenance from Juan Martinez.

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