IT was the year one man stepped on to the world stage.

Right around the same time a nation plunged off it.

4 Xavi has a great fondness for Scottish football Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

4 It has been 18 years since Scotland's last visit at a major tournament Credit: Reuters

Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi took his first strides on his way towards football greatness in the summer of 1998.

He just hopes it doesn’t also mark a time when the Scottish national team came to a shuddering halt.

Okay, it’s stretching the truth to think Xavi lies awake at night worrying about the state of Gordon Strachan’s side.

But then this is a guy who, at 36, lives and breathes the game in his role as ambassador for Qatar 2022.

And the way Xavi sees it, the World Cup misses Scotland just as much as Scotland misses the World Cup.

It’s 18 years now since we last qualified for a major tournament — incredibly Xavi’s career started and ended in that time.

But in an exclusive sitdown with SunSport, he said: “I grew up with Scotland at major tournaments. It is sad for the country that it has been so long since they were there.

“We played Scotland at Hampden a few years ago but I wasn’t playing. I was injured but I remember it was a fantastic game.

“As a kid I’d watch them play and I feel real sympathy for the fans and for the players that they are not there.

“Everyone loves Scotland. In Spain everyone loves Real Betis because of their supporters — and Scotland is the same.

“I would love to see them make it back to a major tournament in 2018. The fans and the players are so passionate about the game.

“We have missed them at these tournaments and hopefully they are back sooner than later.”

Xavi’s admiration for Scottish football comes from his Champions League clashes against Celtic.

He raved about playing at Parkhead in 2012, even though Barcelona lost the night Tony Watt pounced on a mistake from the legendary midfielder to score a stunning goal.

Xavi added: “From every game I played at Celtic I remember the amazing atmosphere. The noise is incredible and it’s one of my favourite places to play.

“The fans are so passionate and push the team from the first moment. They are intense, so loud and encouraging for the Celtic players.

“We lost that night because we made mistakes but also because Celtic played very well.

“It was a hard game from the very beginning but it was still a good experience because it was such an amazing atmosphere.

“It’s an atmosphere that makes a difference to the Celtic players. It makes them better as opposed to other teams worse. It affected them in a really positive way.

“Speaking for the Barcelona players, it doesn’t affect our mentality in a negative way. We were all used to playing in big games, so it didn’t distract us. We enjoyed playing in that environment.

“But the supporters really make a difference for the Celtic players.

4 Xavi recalls the time he played at Parkhead Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

“Everyone knows there is a saying that supporters can be the extra man but it’s really true in this instance.”

Xavi plays his football for Qatar outfit Al Sadd now as he lives his life in the oasis of Doha.

But he still keeps a close eye on European football and admits he was stunned by Celtic’s 7-0 defeat to Barca last month.

The way he sees it, though, Brendan Rodgers’ side were lucky they didn’t concede ten goals.

Xavi went on: “I was pretty surprised that Celtic lost 7-0 at the Nou Camp but Barca played an outstanding game that night. They were unstoppable.

4 Xavi is now an ambassador for Qatari football Credit: Getty Images

“Maybe if Moussa Dembele had scored the penalty it would have changed the game. It was a big moment.

“But then when Celtic lost the second and third goals very quickly, it was going to be very difficult to come back from that.

“They scored seven goals that night but the gap between Celtic and Barcelona isn’t that big.

“When Barca scored the third you could see Celtic just didn’t know how to come back. It was seven but it could have been ten.

“However, that doesn’t mean the gap is actually that big. I don’t believe it is."