Xavi favours Neymar over Gareth Bale

Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes that teammate Neymar has proven to be a better player than Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale.

Both players moved to La Liga in big-money transfers during the summer, but despite Bale netting nine goals since leaving Tottenham Hotspur, Xavi has insisted that the Brazilian international is the more valuable acquisition.

The 33-year-old told the Daily Mail: "There were some big signings for La Liga over the summer, but for me, Neymar is clearly the best.

"He hasn't just shown his quality but he has showed it in the big games like against Real Madrid, and that is where the big players really prove themselves."

Neymar netted a hat-trick as Barcelona thrashed Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.