Xavi Comments on Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo After 2016 Ballon d'Or Vote

Barcelona legend Xavi has disagreed with Cristiano Ronaldo's recent Ballon d'Or victory and asserted former team-mate Lionel Messi deserved to win this year's award. 

Speaking in an interview with Catalan broadcaster TV3 while in Qatar (h/t AS), Xavi said Real's UEFA Champions League triumph and Portugal's Euro 2016 win were the major deciders, as opposed to individual merit.

Xavi, who left the Camp Nou for Qatari side Al Sadd in 2015, said: "Titles took precedence, while there are other years in which it is not like this and they value the best player in the world. Leo Messi is the best of all in spite of the titles that the other player has won."

Kieran Canning of Agence France-Presse joined Xavi in determining Messi as 2016's best player overall, suggesting Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or victory was based more on "moments" than consistent scoring form:

The Ballon d'Or is debated annually in regards to just how heavily trophies should weigh in on the matter, particularly considering the running would be confined to just a select few if silverware were a factor.

While 2016 saw Ronaldo win his first European Championship with Portugal, Messi has endured drama of an altogether more negative manner for Argentina, even retiring from national team duty in June before returning in August, per BBC Sport.

The two players both sit among the most talented in the world and have done for the best part of a decade now, although the Ballon d'Or will eternally be debated as a definitive factor between the duo.

With a fourth such accolade to his name, Ronaldo, 31, has climbed one step closer to toppling his Barcelona counterpart in the Ballon d'Or pecking order, per OptaJean:

Xavi's words will ring true with some, however, owing to the fact it was Messi who topped Ronaldo in goals scored and assists recorded, with the latter boasting a record of 48 goals in 52 outings, per the Press Association.

Messi was hardly shy of trophies, either, and led manager Luis Enrique's side to last season's La Liga and Copa del Rey double, not to mention scoring more goals over the past 12 months, per Squawka:

At 29 years of age, Messi still has years left to potentially build on his already convincing tally of five Ballon d'Or titles, but this might well smart as one he deserved to take home.

Xavi may not be the most impartial of voices on the matter, but there are those who would agree silverware played more of a role than it should have—not for the first time—in this year's Ballon d'Or reckoning.