Trivia

Member of the Spain National team who won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two UEFA Euro (2008 and 2012).

Has a three children with his wife Anna Ortiz: Valeria (b. April 3, 2011), Paolo (b. June 1, 2015) and Sienna (b. May 16, 2017).

674 appearances for FC Barcelona (2001-2018); scored 57 goals.

Honours with FC Barcelona: 9 La Liga (2005, 2006, 2009-2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018); 6 Copa del Rey (2009, 2012, 2015-2018), 6 Supercopa de España (2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016), 4 UEFA Champions League (2006, 2009, 2011, 2015); 3 FIFA Club World Cup (2009, 2011, 2015); 2 UEFA Super Cup (2011, 2015). Honours with Vissel Kobe: Emperor's Cup (2019); Japanese Super Cup (2020).

131 appearances for Spain National Football Team from 2006 to 2018; won the UEFA Euro (2008 and 2012) and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Was named in the UEFA Team of the year 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016.

Scored the goal for Spain against Netherlands during the final match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

His wife Anna Ortiz had a miscarriage when expected their second child. (2014)

The FIFA Ballon d'Or: 2nd place (2010) and 3rd Place (2012).

Captain of the FC Barcelona from 2015-2018.

Named in the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament in 2008 and 2012.

Won the La Liga Awards as the Best Midfielder five times (2009, 2011-2014).

Won the 2009 Onze de Bronze.

Named in the FIFA FIFPro World11 nine times (2009-2017).

Named in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Dream Team.

Top assist provider of the UEFA Champions League 2010/11.

Named in the ESM Team of the Year in 2010/11 and 2017/18.

Won the 2011 Onze d'Argent.

Won the Marca Legend Award in 2011.

Named the 2012 UEFA Euro Player of the Tournament.

Named the IFFHS World's Best Playmaker in 2012 and 2013.

Named the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award (2012).

Silver Ball at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Won the 2014 Golden Foot.

Named in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season in 2014/15 and 2015/16.

Won the treble with Barcelona (La Liga, Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League) in 2015.

Named in the UEFA Ultimate Team of the Year (2015).

Bronze Ball at the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup.

Named in the La Liga Team of the Season in 2015/16.

Played well over 100 games at the UEFA Champions League.

Named in the J.League Best XI in 2019 and 2021.

Named in the Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Bronze team) in 2020.