Former Barcelona Star Hits Out at Cristiano Ronaldo After Portuguese Legend Declares Himself As Goat

• Lionel Messi has been branded as the best player in history according to former Barcelona superstar Xavi Hernandez
• The ex-midfielder who is now a manager has disagreed with Cristiano Ronaldo who claimed to be the best back in 2017
• Ronaldo who has full confidence in himself stated that he was the greatest footballer of all time, but Xavi is having none of that

A former Barcelona midfielder has hit out at former Real Madrid man Cristiano Ronaldo for labeling himself GOAT, SPORTbible reports.

Back in 2017 when he was at the Spanish club, Ronaldo announced that he was the best player the world has ever seen, but Xavi disagreed with that notion publicly.

After scooping his fifth Ballon d’Or title, Ronaldo who has full confidence in himself stated that he was the greatest footballer of all time.

He told France Football:

"I don't see anyone better than me. No player does things that I cannot do myself, but I see things others can't do.

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"There's no more complete player than me. I'm the best player in history - in the good and the bad moments."

But speaking to Tot Costa de Catalunya Ràdio, Xavi said via GiveMeSport:

"Messi does more things compared to Cristiano."

"If Cristiano considers himself the best player in history, that's fine, but those of us who see him train, there is no comparison. Messi is the best in history, and we don't see it any other way."

The silky midfielder felt Messi's quality always comes to the fore - in a way perhaps Ronaldo's doesn't always.

Messi told he does not deserve the 2021 Ballon d’Or

Meanwhile, Messi has been told he does not deserve to win this year’s Ballon d’Or due to the red card he received in the Spanish club final back in January.

Former Chelsea star Frank Lebouef has compared the situation of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner with that of Zinedine Zidane.

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Lebouef disclosed that Zidane was overlooked in 2000 and 2006 due to the red cards he received in those respective years as other players took the coveted prize.

Messi has been named among favourites for the prestigious award this year after scoring a staggering 38 goals in 47 appearances for Barcelona last season.

Ronaldinho says he doesn’t compare footballers

Legit.ng earlier reported that Former Brazilian international Ronaldinho who was at the Parc des Princes to see PSG’s 3-2 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League as described Neymar and Lionel Messi as good friends.

The Brazilian legend met the former Barcelona duo on Tuesday as he was in attendance as a guest of honour for the French club.

Ronaldinho said via Mirror:

“No, I don't like comparisons. Everyone has their own moment. We have all been through difficult times. But I think everyone in Brazil knows that he is the best player right now.