Xavi speaks on Messi, Ronaldo, Guardiola and Mourinho

Xavi Hernandez for Barcelona 2014/2015

FC Barcelona legend and former midfielder Xavi Hernandez spoke in an interview with top Spanish publication Cadena Ser where he spoke about a lot of issues including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and the Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry.

The midfielder who currently plays in Qatar for Al Saad spoke with Edu Polo of Cadena Ser and one of the interesting things he said was the desire and plan to coach FC Barcelona one day.

“I like the idea of being a coach, that is the idea for now but I don’t know if I’d be a suitable coach for Barça. It is still too soon to return to Barcelona. I’ll return in few years, but it is still very, very soon. Barcelona is a level above other teams and an attempt is an objective.”

On Lionel Messi, Xavi repeated something he’s being saying for years and that is quite the obvious, that Leo is the best.

“If you watch Messi play, you know he is the best. He’s superior to everyone else and will continue to be the best in the world for as long as he wants. He’s the best for everyone except maybe those related to Real Madrid.”

Xavi then went on to praise current Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on his past, saying the former Barça coach was ‘extraordinary’ but his style now doesn’t match with what he likes.

“[Jose] Mourinho was extraordinary as a youngster, he taught us so much and believed in Barça’s style. But when he became head coach he changed his philosophy. I don’t think his style of play matches my footballing characteristics.”

On his former coach Pep Guardiola, Xavi said:

“On a tactical level, Pep Guardiola is second to none.”

Xavi left Barça after the treble win in 2014/2015 to join Qatar club Al Saad, he reveals that his decision was die to the fact that he was no longer at the level of a player who can succeed at such a top club like Barça.

“It requires enormous mental strength to play for Barça. I needed to free myself from the stress, so I decided to play in Qatar.”

Reports in the past claimed Xavi called Ronaldo an “unintelligent player” but the Spaniard said in the interview that those reports were false.

“A fool cannot play football, let alone become someone like Cristiano Ronaldo. I never said that Cristiano is not intelligent, as spread by the media.”

On the relationship between Barça and Real Madrid which seemed to have been very cold over the past few years, Xavi played down the idea that there was a poor rapport between parties, stating that they are all professionals.

“Valdes plays with Karanka (former Real Madrid assistant coach, Pedro played with Mourinho, Xabi Alonso [played] with Guardiola… We are professionals. Raul is an extraordinary person and I have a very good relationship with him.”

Xavi is an icon of FC Barcelona, he holds the record for most appearances for the club and won everything more than once during his time as a Blaugrana..

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