BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Xavi Hernandez's prominent role in Barcelona and Spain's recent run of success appears to be taking its toll on the playmaking midfielder.
Xavi is questionable for Sunday's league match at Getafe as he continues to recover from a nagging Achilles injury.
"We're dealing with his injury on a day-to-day basis," coach Pep Guardiola said on Saturday. "He's recovering well. We've had five days off and that's been an advantage. We'll travel and then see if he plays."
Xavi hasn't had a break since helping Spain to the European championship in the summer of 2008. Since then, he's helped guide Barcelona to a record six major trophies in a single campaign, played for Spain at the Confederations Cup in the summer of 2009 and returned to South Africa to help guide Spain to its first World Cup title in July.
Xavi is a top contender to win the 2010 FIFA world player of the year award.
"Xavi's played a lot and he's got problems, but he's dealing with them well," Guardiola said. "He is better than the last time he had to stop."
The 30-year-old has missed three of the club's last seven games, playing a full 90 minutes only once during that run.
Spanish champion Barcelona trails leader Real Madrid by one point through nine games.
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