Topics: Xavi, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Football, Ballon d'Or
Xavi has shared his views on never winning the Ballon d'Or, having lost out to the award to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during his legendary career.
Xavi enjoyed a stunning spell at Barcelona, where he was a part of the club's golden era under Pep Guardiola.
The Catalan giants dominated European football and had the likes of Messi, Andres Iniesta and Carles Puyol in their ranks.
Xavi formed a legendary midfield partnership with Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.
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Despite his on-field success, Xavi never won the Ballon d'Or - but he would have had Messi or Ronaldo never existed.
Messi pipped him to the award in each of the years he was in contention for the prestigious individual prize.
And he finished behind Ronaldo in two of the three years.
But Xavi doesn't consider himself a better footballer than Messi or Ronaldo, who won a combined 13 Ballon d'Ors between them.
"I don't consider myself a better footballer than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, winners of the Ballon d'Or in those years, not at all," he told Diario AS. "I was a playmaker, but I didn't have the ability to decide a match on my own. I'm proud to have finished third three times (his best finish in 2009, 2010 and 2011), even though a Bronze Ball is not officially awarded.
"It's a shame, I would love France Football to give me some to display in my museum! (Laughs.) That photo with my friends Andrés and Leo is historic, incredible. For me, it's the victory of a philosophy, a unique recognition of our style and our heritage."
In 2009, Messi won the first of his eight Ballon d'Or titles, pipping Ronaldo and Xavi to the award.
He once again missed out on the prize the following year, finishing behind eventual winner Messi and Iniesta
And, in 2011, Messi won his third Ballon d'Or in a row after beating Ronaldo and Xavi in the votes.
