Gerard Pique praises Xavi

Spain defender Gerard Pique has lavished praise on Barcelona and international teammate Xavi.

The experienced midfielder spent periods out of the Barcelona XI last season, but he remains a key player for his country, who are currently preparing for the World Cup.

"I think Xavi is arriving really good for the World Cup. Obviously for his style of play, he doesn't need to be really strong or really powerful," Pique told Sports Illustrated.

"All he needs is to be focused, concentrated and trying to be at his best in touching the ball quickly, thinking really fast. Xavi is one of the best midfielders in the last decade because he changed a little bit the how to play football.

"Before, everyone is running and running and running. Xavi never runs. The ball runs; he stays. So he changed a little bit how we play the game."

Xavi has been strongly linked with a move away from Barca this summer.