In a surprise that thrilled everyone on set, Barcelona football legend, a World Cup winner, Xavi Hernandez, paid a special visit to the grand sets of Raja Shivaji, Riteish Deshmukh’s much-anticipated directorial. He was accompanied by his friends and family. The former FC Barcelona captain spent over two to three hours on location, taking a detailed round of the massive, intricately designed sets that recreate the glorious era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Xavi was visibly fascinated by the scale, storytelling, and cultural depth behind the cinematic project. He was particularly in awe of the grandeur of Indian history and marvelled at the intricate detailing involved. Sources reveal that Xavi expressed genuine admiration for the craftsmanship of the glorious Indian history and was moved by the authentic Indian hospitality. Xavi didn’t miss a chance to interact warmly with the cast and crew. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd) Interestingly, the visit was also special for Riteish and his kids, who happen to be die-hard fans of the football icon. Reportedly, the kids interacted with their favorite soccer player over video call and were overjoyed. Riteish also took to his Instagram video to share a video with Xavi. He also penned down a long note expressing gratitude towards the football legend. “Still pinching myself! A huge thank you to the legendary @xavi and the gracious @nuriacunillera81 for visiting the set of our film ‘Raja Shivaji’ with your wonderful friends and family,” he wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd) “It was truly an honor to host you—your presence lit up our day. The cast and crew were absolutely thrilled, and I was personally overjoyed to meet someone I’ve admired for so long. Your humility is as extraordinary as your achievements on the pitch. My kids haven’t stopped smiling since, and neither have I. Wishing you, Nuria, and your beautiful family all the happiness in the world,” the actor concluded.