Xavi Hernandez has reflected that whilst Cristiano Ronaldo and Franck Ribery may merit the FIFA Ballon d’Or, Lionel Messi remains ‘the best’.
The trio are up for the 2013 edition of the award, which Messi has won on the last four occasions, but that Ribery and Ronaldo are tipped to finish ahead of him in the voting.
“Ribery and Cristiano have done enough to deserve winning the Ballon d’Or, but I have no doubt that the best right now, and in history, is Messi. Anyway, I do not vote.”
Xavi was speaking at the Dubai International Sports Conference today in a session entitled ‘Leadership skills in winning championships’, and so was asked to discuss the secret to Barcelona’s success of recent years.
“The factors for success are many – having a good team, talent, a winning mentality, togetherness and also a little luck.
“I am a student of Barca’s school. There, they teach you how to compete and of values, more than just to play football. Respect and transmitting those values is more important than winning.”
The midfielder was speaking alongside Franck Ribery and was asked of a potential reunion in the Champions League knockout stages this season.
“I hope we meet again and that we can be more competitive than last year, but clearly we recognise that they are the favourites.”
Finally, the Barca man reflected on Spain’s hopes heading out to Brazil next summer for the World Cup.
“We have great enthusiasm and we know that it will be difficult, especially against Brazil who are hosts and who are a great opponent, as demonstrated at the Confederations Cup.
“We intend to defend our title.”
