Xavi Hernandez column: Cultivating talent is the future of football

Twenty years after my debut for FC Barcelona, football still provokes the same emotion, passion and happiness in me as when I first took to the pitch. In interviews I am often asked how football will evolve. What is the future of football? For me the answer is as simple as it is exciting: talent.

Football has developed in an incredible way on a physical level. The majority of data that we receive from the media is related to physical performance, for example how a player ran 12 or 13 kilometres in a game or hit top speed. Of course, that is important. But I think we have reached the peak of physical development. A player can't run any more, the intensity can't get any higher, it's already equivalent to a marathon in two games. I think that the area of talent, and technical and tactical knowledge are the areas where we can still improve.

I think that this could be the next big evolution in football. Talent is what makes the difference in a game of football. Every week I watch games from around the world, many games, too many if you ask my wife. In every game and in every league I look for teams that play offensive football and have players with talent. For me, the decisive factor is not players with physical presence but those that give sense and structure to the game.

This summer we will see lots of players emerge at the World Cup. I hope to watch and enjoy the World Cup in Russia because a World Cup is something really incredible. I was lucky enough to play in four and had the honour of lifting the trophy in South Africa along with my teammates. This year will be the first time since I was an adolescent that I can watch a World Cup as a fan. I will also participate in Russia with Generation Amazing, the programme of organisers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that promotes the inclusion and social development in Qatar and across the Middle East through football. Among other activities, we will take workers from Qatar to the first game at the World Cup in Russia while we conntinue with our efforts to give something back to those that are helping to construct this country.

It was at Barcelona where I learnt to be altruistic and to help others. I hope to put these values into practice in this region thanks to Generation Amazing. A few years ago I travelled to Jordan with this country and met Hadeel and other girls who were living in a refugee camp that now has a safe space where they can also play football. I'm inspired by the passion I see for football in this region. At the end of the day, coaching is an opportunity to help young players reach their maximum potential in this sport which we love so much.