Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez has clarified his comments on Cristiano Ronaldo, saying he never said that Cristiano Ronaldo isn't very intelligent when compared to Lionel Messi. His statement counters what was reported earlier, that he had questioned the Real Madrid superstar's intelligence.
Xavi, who plays for Al Sadd SC in the Qatar Stars League, had earlier been quoted by The Real Arab where he spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, and the difference between them. The two superstars have always been compared extensively, about their playing style, their achievements and in general their success with their clubs, to determine which one of them is the better player.
Speaking to Canal Plus, as previewed by AS, he insisted that his quotes were lost in translation, saying, “The translation of what I said was erroneous. I said that there are two types of speed in football. There is the physical side, and in this aspect Messi and Cristiano are at the same level. And then there is the speed at which you are able to connect with your teammates, and in this aspect Messi is of the highest level, whereas Cristiano is not.”
The Spaniard went on to add, “Cristiano does not seem like a player who excels at linking up with his teammates. He is not a passer of the ball and that is why Messi is the best in the world for me. He has both kinds of speed, both the physical one and the one that allows him to link up with his teammates. I never talked about intelligence and I never said Cristiano lacks intelligence.”
Real Madrid and Barcelona engaged in La Liga battle
His comments kicked up a stir when they were made, and raised a lot of reaction in the media in the last two weeks, especially because Real Madrid defeated Barcelona, with Ronaldo starring for the Los Blancos, and the fact that Real Madrid reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, while Barcelona were knocked out by Atletico Madrid, with Lionel Messi not able to perform well.
Though both players haven't been asked anything about their thoughts on Xavi's comments, it is not something that they would want to waste time over, as they will be involved in important matches in the league this weekend, with Real Madrid visiting Getafe, while Barcelona will go up against Valencia. Barcelona still lead the league by three points over Atletico Madrid, with Real Madrid a further point behind.
