Iker and Xavi: Duel of princes

 MARCA.COM

 

Iker and Xavi play their first 'Clásico' since winning the Prince of Asturias

 

 

The image of both of them exchanging pennants will go down in the history of Spanish football. It is repeated year on year in the surfeit of 'Clásicos'. For a long time they have been intimate enemies. Since they started to play together in the lower reaches of the Spanish national side, through to the Madrid-Barcelona conflicts, the Euro Cup, the World Cup, and again in the Euro Cup.
Such a long road travelled, reaching for the sky, together and apart, has culminated in them winning the latest Príncipe de Asturias prize for Sport. And so this will be the first 'Clásico' bearing such a proud distinction, and the two of them wish to continue the good example.
The judges praised the friendship and companionship shown by Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández, which rises above the rivalry existing between the two clubs; an example for the millions of young people who watch them.
The good work done by Xavi and Iker in the background when the 'Clásicos' were endangering the harmony between members of the international team, is well attested. Del Bosque himself feared that the 'Clásico' matches were harming the international team, but this was in fact not the case. Spain rose to the occasion and won their second Euro Cup, and the manager recognised the vital role of both players in reconciling teammates from both clubs.
Iker and Xavi admire and respect each other. The Barça captain was on the nail in defining their relationship: "We are like a married couple. Now and again there's an argument and then you forget all about it."