Former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas makes bold Alexander Hleb claim – football.london
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Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has enjoyed a decorated footballing career to say the very least, having won all there is to win at the very top level.
Fabregas, 33, now playing for AS Monaco in Ligue 1, was part of the revolutionary Spain side that won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012 as well as the 2010 World Cup alongside some of the game’s greats such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta and David Villa.
But what may come as a surprise to just a few, is that it isn’t any of the decorated Spanish or Barcelona stars that rank as Fabregas’ most under-appreciated teammate that he himself has shared the pitch with.
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When quizzed on Twitter over the subject, the former Arsenal captain revealed it was Belarus international Alexander Hleb who he felt was the most under-valued and most deserving of his own personal recognition.
Hleb was brought to the Gunners by Arsene Wenger in 2005, joining on a four-year-deal from German side Stuttgart. Although often hindered by spells on the sidelines due to injury, he remained a popular figure at the club.
In 2006, Hleb became the first ever Belarusian footballer to play in the Champions League final.
After just three season with the North London side, the former Wolfsburg loanee would then join Barcelona. He spent four years with the Spanish giants helping them to the treble in 2008/09 before departing for Russia and finally hanging up his boots back in 2020.
Hleb was often criticised for his work-rate especially for his native Belarus, despite going on to captain the side on numerous occasions but above all, admits himself he shed tears when the door closed on his time at the Emirates.
In an interview last year, the now 40-year-old admits breaking down when the realisation came after text conversations with former boss, Arsene Wenger.
“It’s still difficult for me to explain why I left Arsenal,” said Hleb, quoted by Planet Football.
“I was absolutely happy there. Arsene completely trusted me, it was idyllic. And then I decided to leave.
“I was on vacation and agents and managers convinced me that I had to go to Barcelona. To be honest, I didn’t really understand what I was doing.’’
