Xavi reveals why he admires Middlesbrough, Charlton Athletic and Sheffield United

Aitor Karanka (L) and Xavi Hernandez (R) have met in a couple of El Clasico fixtures in the past.

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has admitted he follows Championship club Middlesbrough since fellow Spaniard Aitor Karanka was appointed as manager, according to the Yorkshire Post. Xavi has also expressed his admiration for Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic due to the existence of a large passionate fan base in England’s lower divisions.

The 35-year-old is now plying his trade in the Middle East with the Qatari-based club, Al Sadd. Xavi is among the finest and most decorated midfielders in the history of football. He came through La Masia, Barcelona’s famed youth academy, at the age of 11 and went on to make a remarkable 767 appearances for the Catalan side before bidding farewell to the Nou Camp faithful at the end of last season.

The former Spain international has won almost every major honour possible including the Champions League title, the FIFA World Cup, European Championship and tonnes of La Liga titles being part of arguably one of the best teams to have ever graced the ‘beautiful game’.

The midfield maestro has now revealed that he keeps a close eye on England’s lower leagues, especially on Karanka’s side, Sheffield and Charlton in particular. Xavi is impressed by the ‘incredible’ support English fans show their clubs, even in the lower divisions.

"I follow Middlesbrough because Aitor Karanka is there. Brighton are top of their league,” he admitted in an interview.

“I met a boy the other day, English. He was wearing a Barca shirt, but I asked him who he supported.”

“He said: 'Sheffield United'. I know them, they have 20,000 fans in the third division. That's incredible.”

“You get that in England. I watched some part of a game with Charlton the other day.”

“There was football on television, yet the stadium was packed with supporters.”

“Incredible. If that was in Catalonia, Olot vs. Reus, then there were would be a few people there and the families of the players.”

Karanka’s Boro were denied promotion in heartbreaking fashion in last year’s playoff final

Karanka and Xavi played against each other when the former represented Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid. After he hung his boots, he went on to coach at the Santiago Bernabeu alongside Jose Mourinho, prior to moving to England.

Despite Xavi’s allegiance to the Blaugrana, it seems he is still a big fan of the former the former Real Madrid star and his managerial capabilities.

Meanwhile, Karanka’s side were a whisker away from getting promoted to the Premier League last term but their dreams were shattered by Norwich City, who beat them in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.