5 players who single-handedly defeated Real Madrid

3. Xavi

Xavi - La Liga - May 2009

The 6-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu is historic for a number of reasons. It signalled the arrival of Guardiola's Barcelona on the world stage. It was a key game in the title race as second-placed Madrid were only 4 points behind leaders Barcelona coming into this game. Win at home and they would be one point behind with 4 game weeks remaining and crank up the pressure on the Catalans.

Another reason why this game is known is because of Messi's move to the false 9 position. It is now a famous anecdote as Pep Guardiola, in consultation with Tito Vilanova, called Lionel Messi late in the night and explained to him how he would be playing through the middle but in a deeper role and Eto'o would be moved out wide. He went on to have one of his best performances against Real Madrid, scoring twice and laying on one more.

Having said that, there is a reason why Messi was able to do such serious damage upfront in those days. This game is the perfect example of why he could afford not to worry about the build-up.

Xavi put on a masterclass in the game. He was simply unstoppable as he laid on four(!) goals for his teammates out of the six goals scored by Barça. As a matter of fact, both of Messi's goals were set up by Xavi, with the other two being for Carles Puyol and Thierry Henry. He dictated play with such remarkable ease that it was impossible for Madrid to get a foothold in the game.

Here's Xavi talking about the game from his point of view.

"It was spectacular. The result is already striking but it was the way we played, the feeling of superiority in the Bernabéu ... I had not felt like that before in my life. In fact, years ago, if we scratched there a point we would already consider it a good result. But in 2009 there was the need to win, to ratify our superiority. The feeling was tremendous."

Xavi provided 22 assists in 2008-09 and scored 8 goals. However, this performance may have been his best in a Barça shirt.