Xavi and Ter Stegen have a long history together, having played for FC Barcelona and won the Champions League in 2015. The Netherlands coach knows the German goalkeeper well, having worked with him during their time at the Catalan club. Ter Stegen has also had a successful stint at FC Barcelona, defending the goal 423 times during his time at the club. In 121 of those matches, Xavi was the head coach.
The reunion between Xavi and Ter Stegen was a pleasant one, with the two men embracing each other after the match. Ter Stegen later spoke about the encounter with Xavi on DAZN, saying that it had been a long time since they had last seen each other. Xavi praised Ter Stegen's performance, saying that he had been impressed by the goalkeeper's ability to "reknock" back into the game.
Ter Stegen has been playing for Ajax this season, but his past with FC Barcelona remains an important part of his career. Xavi's praise for Ter Stegen's performance is a testament to the high regard in which he holds the German goalkeeper. The two men have a deep respect for each other, and their reunion was a heartwarming moment in an otherwise intense match.
Xavi's comments on Ter Stegen's performance have been widely reported, with the Netherlands coach praising the goalkeeper's ability to "reknock" back into the game. Ter Stegen's response to Xavi's praise was equally gracious, saying that it had been a pleasure to play with and under Xavi during their time at FC Barcelona.
The reunion between Xavi and Ter Stegen is a reminder of the strong bond that exists between the two men. Their shared history at FC Barcelona and their mutual respect for each other's abilities make their reunion all the more special.