(MENAFN- The Peninsula) 4Barcelona legend Xavi says young Qatar players have the potential to compete against the best but he urged the new generation to 'achieve a higher tactical standard' to create a lasting impression in the football world.
Speaking on day one of the Soccerex Asian Forum, Xavi said Qatar - the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts - are going in the right direction by investing in young players.
"The technical side in football is very important. We can see the (Qatar) players are good physically. They prepare well but they need to achieve a higher tactical level. We have good potential (but) we have to hone their skills," Xavi said yesterday.
"In the past, Qatar was not required to do so well, but with World Cup coming up in 2022, Qatar national team has to do well," he added.
Xavi, who captains Qatar Stars League (QSL) giants Al Sadd, spends his time with Qatar's junior ranks and the national Olympic squad, giving his invaluable tips to players like Akram Afif and Ali Moiz.
The duo guided Qatar U-19 squad to the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in New Zealand last year.
"We are working on different players to make a good squad for the 2022 World Cup squad. I talk to him (Akram). He's an exceptional talent. He has all the capabilities. He needs to work seriously. He's a young man. He's only 19. Akram has potential. He's playing in the Spanish league. He has a strong personality. He understands the game. He will pave the way for (future) Qatari players. I didn't see a huge gap between the standards of (young) European and Qatari players," Xavi said.
"I work with them (the young players). I work with the youth coaches. Akram and Moiz have the opportunity and they must take this opportunity. I know the coaches talk to them regularly," he said.
Xavi could barely hold his praise when asked about Qatar's football infrastructure.
"The Aspire Academy is what you call state-of-the-art infrastructure. I have seen top football facilities in so many countries. But the level here is not seen anywhere else. I am very proud of being part of Aspire to disseminate culture of football. So many efforts are exerted in Qatar. There are so many ideas to explore," Xavi said.
"There are players in the Under 23 and Under 19 teams who can be very important in 2022. There are coaches in Aspire and the QFA such as Felix Sanchez who are very important, and I am working in coaching with the Under 23 team and enjoying it," Xavi said.
"There are great players and six years to go until 2022. Those in the current National Team and the youth teams will be a great combination to compete in the home World Cup.
Away from his professional duties, it is still football for the European giant who heads SC's 'Generation Amazing' Project.
"This is a project achieved through enjoyment, by being on the pitch. I love this role. At Aspire Academy, I give my skills. I have come here to transfer my knowledge," Xavi said.
"The football family has given me a lot. I am blessed. I am paying back to communities here and around the world," he said.
"I think about football whole day. I enjoy it. I think about Al Sadd. I think about Aspire. Yes, I give proposals. Because that's how you translate ideas into reality. I am very happy when I participate with different teams. I was able to make so many people happy. So many people suffered from social issues. It (football) is a source of happiness," he said.
"When I went to Jordan, it was a moment of pride."
"People there remembered me as a Barca player. I am not as popular as the current Barca lot, but what really made me happy was that they remembered me," he said when recalled his trip to Jordan as the ambassador of 'Generation Amazing' project.
"Now I would like to make others happy. I want to encourage other people to play football. Everybody should experience this. They need to practice their passion. Some people do not understand that you change the lives of people on a daily basis.
"I have seen the impact in so many areas. Football is a means for happiness that can change people's lives. We have to guide people," he said.
"This is a very important project for us. What we want to achieve is to share our experiences and we are going to do that next week," he said of the December 13 clash between Barcelona against Saudi giants Al Ahli in Doha.
"This project will continue. We have trained so many people. This is what we want to achieve - we want football to be played in different parts of the world. We have to give back to the community what we got when we were youngsters. This is the spirit of this project," Xavi said.
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