Xavi gets totally honest about his Ballon d’Or losses to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona dominated world soccer for much of the late 2000s and early 2010s. While Lionel Messi was the team’s star player, a case could be made that Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta embodied the philosophy of that historic squad. As a result, both were consistently among the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
However, for over ten years, France Football consistently awarded the honor to Messi or, in some cases, Cristiano Ronaldo. Players like Xavi, Iniesta, Franck Ribery, and Wayne Rooney, among others, came up just short.
Now, more than a decade later, Xavi has decided to address a question he had long avoided. In a recent interview with Diario AS, the former Barcelona captain was asked if he believed he deserved a Ballon d’Or during that period (he finished third in 2009, 2010, and 2011). His answer was straightforward.
“I don’t consider myself a better player than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, who won the Ballon d’Or during those years, not at all,” Xavi said. “I’m proud of finishing third three times, even though there’s no official ‘Ballon de Bronce,’” he added with a smile. “It’s a shame. I’d love it if France Football gave me a few to display in my museum!”
Xavi explains why Messi and CR7 deserved their Ballon d’Ors
After acknowledging that he was behind Messi and Ronaldo in the rankings, Xavi was clear about why they deserved their Ballon d’Or awards over him: “I was a playmaker, but I didn’t have the ability to decide a match on my own,” he admitted, reflecting on his role in those years.
Still, Xavi recognizes that the 2010 Ballon d’Or ceremony, where Messi, Andrés Iniesta, and he completed the top three, was a special moment. “That photo with my friends Andrés and Leo is historic, incredible. For me, it’s the victory of a philosophy, a unique recognition of our style and our legacy,” he explained, speaking with pride about that moment in soccer history.
In 2010, there was significant controversy around Messi’s victory, especially since Spain had just won the World Cup, with Iniesta scoring the game-winning goal in the final. Yet, Iniesta finished second in the voting, with Xavi completing the top three for the second consecutive year in his career.
The greatest ever, according to Xavi
In March 2019, just before embarking on his managerial career and while still playing for Al-Sadd in Qatar, Xavi made it clear where he stood on Lionel Messi, calling him the greatest player in soccer history.
“Each day he’s a better player,” Xavi said. “It’s incredible. In my opinion, he’s the best player in history, not just of this moment, but of all time.” His comments came after Messi scored a hat trick for Barcelona in a 4-1 win over Real Betis, further showcasing his extraordinary skill.
Xavi continued to praise Messi’s brilliance, saying, “What he’s doing is unbelievable. In every match, he makes the difference, every match, for 12 years. I’ve played with him, and his skill is incredible. He’s the best player in history, in my opinion, without a doubt”.
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