Being groomed to take over from Xavi when the Barcelona and Spain midfielder retires in a few years from now is a hefty burden on the head of young player Thiago Alcantara who appears to have both the skill and the temperament to deal with the pressure.
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The son of former Brazil midfielder Mazinho, part of their 1994 World Cup-winning side, the 21 year old Thiago has already appeared for the senior Spain team and is gradually being handed more responsibility at club level by Barca coach Tito Vilanova.
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Blessed with superb close control and distribution skills as well as an impressive burst of pace, he is seen as a cross between Xavi and their Barca and Spain teammate Andres Iniesta, with something of the Cesc Fabregas thrown in for good measure.
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Despite his undoubted promise, he still has some way to go before he is fully ready to assume the responbilities of Xavi, considered one of the finest midfield playmakers of his, or any, generation.