Xavi risks injury to help Barca recover

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola described Xavi as the greatest midfielder in the club's history after the playmaker risked aggravating an injury to help his side beat Villarreal 4-1 away on Saturday.

Xavi picked up a calf injury against Inter and had been a doubt for Saturday's game.

“He had an injury that if he aggravated it could force him to miss the World Cup,” Guardiola said. “"He is committed to this club and is an example for everyone."

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque will have been relieved to hear Xavi had done no further damage to his calf with the deadline day for the naming of his squad for the WC only three weeks away.