Xavi speaks on Messi, Ronaldo, Guardiola and Mourinho

“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.”

“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.”

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

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

“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.”

“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..