Xavi: Messi is the Michael Jordan of Football… Incomparable and Non-Human

The Spaniard Xavi Hernandez praised his former teammate Lionel Messi at Barcelona, affirming that he is the greatest player in the history of football and cannot be compared to any other player.

Xavi said that one of the coaches at Barcelona's academy told him about an Argentine talent coming to the team, adding that he told him: "Xavi, this player is different."

He added that when he first saw Messi in training at the age of 16, he immediately realized he was in the presence of an exceptional player, saying: "I remember the first training session... the way he received the ball, his dribbling, his passes... he was a football phenomenon."

He continued by saying that the senior players of the team at that time, such as Carles Puyol, Ronaldinho, Deco, and Valdes, were astonished by what they were witnessing, saying they looked at each other as if to say, "This is not normal."

Xavi confirmed that playing alongside Messi was extremely easy, saying: "Playing with him was very easy. If you can't play with Messi, you can't play football," adding: "When you pass the ball to Leo, he returns it to you at the perfect time and in the best way."

He pointed out that Messi started as a shy player, but over time he became a true leader, saying that he always wanted the ball and developed his personality on the field.

He added that Messi is never seen without the desire or readiness for the match, saying that his passion for football is "Argentinian and fierce."

He also mentioned that he sent him a message after one of the matches saying, "I couldn't believe what you did; it was unbelievable."

Xavi concluded his remarks by saying: "For me, he is an incomparable player, closer to being non-human," adding: "I always say he is the Michael Jordan of football... there is no one like him in history, and I don't think we will see a player like him again."