Xavi reveals he follows Middlesbrough and is impressed by Sheffield United fans

Barcelona legend Xavi has admitted he follows Yorkshire side Middlesbrough.

By Amitai Winehouse Tuesday, 24th November 2015, 12:02 pm

Xavi wearing the colours of an English team he follows - Middlesbrough.

Boro have Aitor Karanka in charge, and Xavi keeps an eye out for them as a result.

The two played against each other when Karanka represented Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid, and Karanka was also a coach at Real Madrid prior to moving to England.

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Xavi also admitted he was impressed by the manner in which teams like Sheffield United still attract significant attendances, despite playing in the third tier of English football.

He said: “I follow Middlesbrough because Aitor Karanka is there.

“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 of a game with Charlton the other day. There was football on television, yet the stadium was packed with supporters. Incredible.