Xavi Discusses Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden Hazard and More

Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez has suggested no player will ever eclipse the talents of former team-mate Lionel Messi after discussing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Eden Hazard as his competition.

The 36-year-old recently spoke to Javier Miguel of Spanish newspaper Sport and said "there is no comparison" to the player alongside whom he won a tremendous tally of trophies:

"

For me, there is no heir to Messi. There will never be one. There will be very good footballers, but nobody at Messi's level. 

To be at the top for so many years, winning so many individual and team trophies, will be impossible to surmount.

In the future, everything will be more equal amongst the best players. 

Though now they try to sell the story of the Cristiano and Messi battle, those of us who know football, know there is no comparison. 

When Messi ends his career, there will be Neymar, Hazard, five or ten players at a similar level, but none with the unquestionable superiority of Messi.

"

Xavi played alongside Messi for 11 years before departing for Qatari club Al-Sadd in 2015, winning four UEFA Champions League crowns, seven La Liga titles and two FIFA Club World Cups with the Argentinian.

The career of Messi, 29, has been intertwined with that of Ronaldo, 31, but Xavi doesn't need to ask the questions regarding who of the pair is superior, having got plenty of firsthand evidence on the former:

Messi won his fifth Ballon d'Or award in 2015 after a two-year absence from top spot on the podium, all the while contending with a distracting court case against charges of tax fraud.

Asked whether the court trials—which resulted in a suspended 21-month jail sentence and a €2 million (£1.7 million) fine, per BBC News—would affect Messi's performance on the pitch, Xavi responded:

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I don't think so. How much time has he had to deal with the case? Two or three years now?

And he is still the best in the world, making the difference and putting it in the top corner.

He is happy in Barcelona, I'm not saying he's not bothered by some off the field issue, but on the pitch he is still the same player. 

It is great to have Messi, and he needs to be kept happy and content.

Above all, all these issues need to be resolved as soon as possible, so he can start from a clean slate. 

But really, it doesn't affect him. If there is someone mentally strong, that person is Messi. He has overcome it all.

"

Messi has also had difficulty on the pitch of late, having announced his retirement from international football after losing to Chile on penalties in the final of the Copa America Centenario earlier this summer.

Bayern Munich media's Cristian Nyari outlined the contrast in international fortunes recently enjoyed by Messi and Ronaldo, with the latter having helped fire his nation to glory at Euro 2016 in France:

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Bittersweet summer for the two best players in the world. Tears for Messi and Ronaldo. #PORFRA #euro2016 pic.twitter.com/drtKUWsSuj

— Cristian Nyari (@CrisNyari) July 10, 2016"

Messi's shortcomings on the international stage have been well-chronicled in years gone by, but his achievements at club level are almost unmatched, with Xavi among the most informed on his former club-mate's talents.

Even with all the obstacles thrown his way, Messi hit back to score 41 goals in 49 games last season, an even more impressive achievement considering he missed the entire month of October during the 2015-16 campaign.

Dan Mullan/Getty Images

The forward's Barcelona record now stands at 456 goals in 533 appearances, according to Transfermarkt, not to mention all the supplemental work he contributes in creating chances for those around him.

Xavi sits as a football icon in his own right, but for the former Spain maestro, there can only be one who assumes the throne as the best to have ever played the game.