Barcelona legend Xavi has revealed that he regards Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho as the best two players in history.
Since 2003, the duo have enjoyed legendary careers at Camp Nou, with Ronaldinho starring for five years until 2008 and Messi netting 627 goals since 2004.
While Xavi has acknowledged the respective ability of the pair, the former midfielder feels that Messi has the edge due to his consistency.
Speaking to Globo Esporte, Xavi said: "Ronaldinho is at the level of the best, perhaps what he lacked was consistency.
"Perhaps he lacked consistency in being at his peak. For me, only Messi is above Ronaldinho because of the consistency of the last few years.
"Messi is the best in history, but Ronaldinho is with the best. The rest follow. [Ronaldinho] is with the best – with Ronaldo, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, that group."
During his playing career, Xavi made 767 appearances between 1998 and 2015.
Darren Plant
