Xavi hails Lionel Messi as football’s Michael Jordan during record sixth World Cup | OneFootball

Xavi has lavished praise on Lionel Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, as the 38-year-old contests a record sixth World Cup, after a hat-trick in Wednesday's 3-0 win over Algeria.

"It was very easy to play with him. If you cannot combine with Messi, you do not know how to play football, it is as simple as that. When you pass to Leo, he gives it back perfectly." He wrote for The Athletic.

"Today, it moves me to watch him play," the 2010 World Cup winner continued. "I carried on until 39, but I was in Qatar and had left La Roja for a few years. Leo is that age now, he will be 39 on 24 June, and he has not changed. Look at the way his feet move, that quick little step. Anyone else would have retired after winning the World Cup in 2022, but he is a born competitor."

"I am convinced that Argentina will reach the final stages and that we will see the best Messi of his career. He is the Michael Jordan of football. I do not believe we will ever see a footballer like him again."

Messi and Xavi shared 11 seasons and 399 matches as Barcelona team-mates, winning four Champions Leagues, seven Spanish league titles and three Copa del Rey titles.

Source: L'Équipe