Barcelona midfielder Xavi has claimed that Lionel Messi "is the best player that has ever lived".
Pele and Diego Maradona are seen by many as the two greatest footballers in history, but Xavi believes that the Argentine is right up there with the best of all time.
"For me, he is the best player that has ever lived. For me, nobody can even be compared to him. He is the best in the world, without a shadow of a doubt," Xavi told Canal+.
Xavi also claimed that teammate Andres Iniesta is the "most talented Spanish player" in history.
"Iniesta? I think he's the most talented Spanish player in our history. He epitomises everything good that Barca have done in recent times, his play is reflected in it constantly," he added.
Xavi, 34, has been with Barcelona since 1991.
