Barcelona maestro Xavi has made it clear that the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Luis Suarez are all below Lionel Messi in terms of being extra-ordinary.
For the past seven years, football fans have argued over who is better one between Messi and Real Madrid star Ronaldo.
The debate however has continued in the course of the year, though, with Neymar and Suarez influential in inspiring Barcelona to a La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble last term.
Suarez was left out of the final three man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d’Or award, which will be contested between current holder Ronaldo, Neymar and favourite Messi.
Xavi paid tribute to all four players, but the World Cup winner with Spain is so sure that Messi is clearly above others.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Suarez are extraordinary, incredible players, but they are below Messi,” he told Portuguese publication Record.
“It is now more difficult to attack and dribble. Players are more physical, there is space to play and Leo gets haggled, creates spaces, scores goals, and makes a difference in every game.”
Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d’Or awards in recent times, the duo winning the past seven between them.
Some pundits feel Xavi should have won football’s greatest individual honour during his career, but he insists that he never felt he should have won the accolade.
“I never felt worthy of the prize,” he added. “Many people tell me [I should], but there is Messi, the best footballer in history. It is normal that he won.
“I never had the feeling that I should have won the award.”
