And the Ballon D'Or goes to ...... Xavi

Actually, it went to Leo Messi, who in any circumstance is not an undeserving winner. But when you look at a man commanding a soccer ideology as perfectly as Xavi in Spain's greatest sporting achievement then his claim to the world's most influential player is a bit more tenuous.

Xavi's style of playing so familiar to Barcelona was unhesitatingly incorporated into Spain's national team.