Xavi: Ronaldo Have More Influence On A Game Than Messi, He Has All Physical And Technical Football

If the Ballon d’Or is the definitive guide to the best footballer in the world, then Cristiano Ronaldo has been the consistent star in recent years.

The Portuguese forward has won the award in four of the past seven years.

Ronaldo has benefitted from Real Madrid’s success in the Champions League - they made it a hat-trick of European titles last two season.

Meanwhile Messi, despite all of his domestic success, hasn’t won the European competition since 2015.

And huge importance is placed on winning the biggest club competition in the world when it comes to Ballon d’Or voting.

Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi has no doubts that Messi is the best player in the world, despite what the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s The Best award say.

"If Cristiano considers himself the best player in history, that's fine, but those of us who see him train, there is no comparison,” Xavi told Catalunya Radio last December.

Xavi's changed his tune

"Messi is the best in history and we don't see it any other way."

But Xavi, didn’t think that was the case 10 years ago.

In fact, the Spaniard greatly admired Ronaldo and said he had more influence on a game than Messi.

“Along with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is the best player in the world,” Xavi said.

“In fact he is in front of Leo in terms of influence in a game. The kid has everything. We are talking about physical and technical football.”

How he’s changed his tune.

Xavi, of course, has had the luxury of watching Messi develop into one of the greatest players in the history of the game.

The pair won a many trophies together and played starring roles during the height of Barcelona's success under Pep Guardiola.

to me ronaldo z d undisputed G.O.A.T