Lionel Messi is a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo because of his "intelligence," according to the Argentinian's ex-Barcelona teammate, Xavi. The former midfield general at the Camp Nou also believes his old club is among the favourites to win this season's UEFA Champions League and defend the trophy it claimed last season.
But 36-year-old Xavi, who currently plays for Qatari club Al Sadd SC, remains wary of the threat Ronaldo's Real Madrid pose in Europe's premier club competition.
Speaking to the New Arab (h/t Spanish publication Marca) ahead of the upcoming Clasico in La Liga, Xavi gave his opinion on the comparison between Messi and Ronaldo:
Messi is the best player in the world. In football, there are two important factors: fitness and intelligence. Ronaldo is very fit but Messi has both the fitness and the intelligence, so in short, Messi is better.
Xavi may be happy to talk who is better, but it's not a debate Messi welcomes. He shunned the comparison during a recent interview with Egyptian TV station MBC (h/t Spanish source Sport, via ESPN FC): "I don't compare myself to Cristiano nor to anyone. I only try to think of me, of my team-mates and win games."
That Xavi favours Messi in this debate is hardly a surprise. After all, the pair won every major honour during a golden period for Barca.
MANU FERNANDEZ/Associated Press
Messi and Xavi helped Barca reach and stay at the top of the European game.
Among the haul of silverware Xavi's vision and Messi's free-scoring brilliance helped the Catalan club claim were four UEFA Champions League trophies. Now Xavi believes Messi and his current teammates can win another European Cup, per Marca:
Obviously, I want my team Barcelona to win the title. I think they are the most likely to win along with Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, however we must be wary of Real Madrid because when they're inconsistent in the league they usually play better in the Champions League.
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