Xavi is 8 years old and has a passion for Valencia CF and playing football. He is part of the VCF Benjamin B Fundación team at the VCF Academy, but has been sidelined by a rare disease since September.
After a tournament in Alzira, he developed an ache and a limp, with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease diagnosed by the VCF Academy and local hospital. Legg-Calvé-Perthes affects the hip and causes the destruction of part of the head of the femur. The body can regenerate this bone completely or only partially, and cause a permanent deformity.

“For a child who thinks of nothing else but football and Valencia CF, it is a very big shock to tell him that he will not be able to play. Psychologically we are destroyed,” explains Rubén, Xavi's father.

There are cases amongst children who have gone on to become footballers, such as Danish forward Martin Braithwaite, who suffered the disease between the ages of 5 and 7 and spent two years in a wheelchair.

"There are children who recover in four years, others in two, others in one. Our goal is that Xavi recovers and that he can have a normal life, that he can walk well and have no more difficulties," explains Rubén. The family have joined the ASFAPE Foundation (Association of Families with Perthes).
 

After several weeks away from the Ciudad Deportiva, Xavi returned with his parents last Friday to watch the game that his team played against Ciutat de Valencia. Before the match, his teammates were all waiting for him with a special shirt with his photo and a message of encouragement.

It was not the only surprise that Xavi received. Valencia CF player Carlos Soler also wanted to share some time with him, handing him a shirt with the number 10 on the back and a very special dedication.

"We are enormously grateful to Valencia CF," explains Xavi's father. “They have made continuous calls to check up on us, and if it weren't for Valencia CF we would not know what we have to do. Xavi was taken aback to see Carlos Soler and the team. Seeing how the team, the players and the coaches all love him is amazing. We are very touched."