DUBAI // Perhaps the mood was emboldened by the nature of the win in el clasico on Saturday night. Maybe it was just because you can never take the Barcelona out of Xavi. But it is not so outlandish for the former Spain international midfielder to say that Barcelona have as good a shot as ever at becoming the first team to win the Uefa Champions League two years running.
Xavi, in Dubai on Monday at the opening of the new Go Sport store at Mall of the Emirates, was still exultant after the performance his former teammates put on in beating Real Madrid 4-0 at the Bernabeu, calling it a “historic” result.
“An amazing game for Barca,” he said. “They were much better than Real Madrid in everything, in attack, in defence, in rhythm, in intensity.”
And as Barcelona prepare to take on Roma on Tuesday, Xavi sees them venturing into uncharted territory twice in successive years. AC Milan were the last team to win the European Cup back to back, in 1989-90, before it became the Champions League.
“Why not the first team to win Champions League two years running?” Xavi said. “It is possible for Barcelona.
“It is only the mentality. No change in mentality for continuing to win. They have everything for continuing to win. It’s difficult because it’s the Champions League, but, yes, I expect them to win. It’s very difficult but Barca can do it.”
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Some of the belief must stem from the attacking riches the club has gathered. The return from injury of Lionel Messi – the best player ever according to Xavi – on Saturday night was important, but the rest of Europe must be balking at the injustice of it. After all, it is hardly as if Neymar and Luis Suarez have allowed his absence to be felt.
At his peak, Xavi also had a forward line to supply that was the envy of many, men such as Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho. This trio, he suggested, may be even better.
“Yes I think so. Neymar, Suarez, Messi, three of the best players at the moment, the best in the world right now. All together, with [Andres] Iniesta, [Sergio] Busquets, Ivan Rakitic also. Barca for me is the best.”
Inevitably, given the form he is in, Xavi was asked whether Neymar now ranks alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world. He could not help but let slip a little bit of Barca bias in his evaluation, though he did it, as ever, elegantly.
“I don’t know if Neymar is better than Ronaldo. I don’t know. Maybe in the future. But for me the best player in this moment and in history is Messi. Maybe in the future. Neymar is an amazing football player but still early to say this. For me now, and best in history is Messi.”
osamiuddin@thenational.ae
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