Cristiano Ronaldo Isn't Even Close to Lionel Messi's Standard, Insists Xavi

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't even come close to Lionel Messi in terms of who is the best player in the game. That's according to Barcelona's midfield pass-master Xavi Hernandez.

The 34-year-old made his feelings on the debate clear during a recent television interview with Espacio Reservado, per the English edition of Marca. Xavi firmly sided with long-time team-mate Messi:

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The way I see it, Messi is the best player in history. He is the one who changes the course of games; he's the best. There is no comparison in my view; he's the world number one and by a margin.

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It's perhaps understandable that Xavi would vote for Messi. After all, the two have combined to win numerous titles for the Blaugrana.

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However, he may not find many endorsements for his view in light of Ronaldo and Messi's recent form. The latter endured a mini fall from grace last season as his form stuttered under failing manager Tata Martino.

Martino played Messi on the right, a position which rarely brought out the best in the pocket-edition genius. Ex-Barca manager Radomir Antic felt Messi stopped giving his best when on the flanks, per Goal.com reporter Alberto Pinero:

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Messi did not do much running because the coach told him to play as a winger. This was Messi's way of saying 'If you want me to play on the wing, I will do just that.'

I don't think Messi will accept playing as a winger after everything he has done for Barcelona. He will say 'If you want me on the wing, I will play there, but whether I will get involved in the game is another thing...'

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While Messi floundered, at least by his magnificent standards, on the flank, Ronaldo captured the Ballon d'Or en route to helping inspire Real Madrid to a 10th European Cup success.

Playing in a forward line also featuring Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, and receiving consistent supply from Angel Di Maria, Ronaldo netted 48 goals in UEFA Champions League and La Liga action, per ESPN FC.

However, one slightly below-par season for Messi shouldn't have people thinking Ronaldo is the superior player. The Portuguese powerhouse is certainly a dominant goalscorer, but he is not as complete as Messi.

The Argentine mini marvel is more of a team player, while Ronaldo has always been an individual, a thoroughbred more concerned with his personal glory than anything else.

Messi has matched, or usually bettered, him in the scoring charts. But he's also helped others to thrive. That was evidenced by the 47 assists he tallied from 2010-13, per Daily Mirror reporter Ed Malyon.

That figure was 10 ahead of Ronaldo and made Messi the joint most prolific creator in Europe's top five leagues during that time. While he may have bridled at playing wide, Messi didn't use his dissatisfaction to angle for a move away.

Ronaldo can hardly say the same. He has reportedly grown unhappy at Madrid and wants a transfer back to former club Manchester United, per Sky Sports reporter Guillem Balague:

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He is unhappy and he’s said so – but then he corrected himself by saying ‘I didn’t mean what he said’. It was a bit confusing.

Anyway, you have to say he’s not happy that Ozil left and he didn’t like the fact that Xabi Alonso and Di Maria left.

He has this idea, I think, that at Real Madrid he is doing a job and he is working, but he enjoyed himself almost like a kid at Manchester United.

He dreams of going back to Manchester United and Manchester United have got all the finances in place to get him.

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Ronaldo's fondness for Manchester always seems to resurface whenever he's irked by decisions in Madrid. It's not a coincidence that Ronaldo is unhappy at the sales of Ozil and Di Maria. They are two players who dedicated themselves almost exclusively to supplying him with scoring chances.

But rather than accept the new signings at Madrid and work to forge a similar bond with players such as Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez, Ronaldo simply angles for a move away, if reports are to be believed.

There's no denying Ronaldo is an awesome individual talent. But even he can't compare with Messi when the Barca star is at his best.