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Xavi finished third in the Ballon d'Or awards three times in his career.
Barcelona icon Xavi Hernández has finally opened up about his Ballon d’Or snubs, admitting that he never considered himself to be on the same level as Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Spanish maestro, who was an integral part of the Catalan club’s golden era, finished third in the Ballon d’Or race three times but never got his hands on football’s most prestigious individual award.
In an exclusive interview with Diario AS, Xavi reflected on the years he competed for the honour but ultimately lost out to two of football’s greatest-ever players.
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“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 admitted.
“I was a playmaker, but I didn’t have the ability to decide a match on my own.”
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Xavi, who was a key figure in Pep Guardiola’s revolutionary Barcelona side, played alongside legends like Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Carles Puyol, orchestrating one of the most dominant midfield units the sport has ever seen.
However, despite his impact on the game, the former Barca coach was always overshadowed by the brilliance of Messi and Ronaldo.
Xavi jokes about potential Bronze ball for podium finish in Ballon d’Or
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Xavi’s best Ballon d’Or finishes came in 2009, 2010, and 2011, when he ended up third behind the two footballing titans.
Reflecting on his podium finishes, the Spaniard jokingly suggested that France Football should award him something to display in his personal collection.
“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.”
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Back in 2009, Messi secured his first Ballon d’Or title, edging out Ronaldo and Xavi.
The same scenario played out in 2010 and 2011, with Messi claiming back-to-back honours while Xavi trailed in third.
The legendary midfielder’s humility in acknowledging Messi and Ronaldo’s superiority only cements his legacy further.
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