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Xavi Comments on Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo After 2016 Ballon d'Or Vote

Barcelona legend Xavi has disagreed with Cristiano Ronaldo's recent Ballon d'Or victory and asserted former team-mate Lionel Messi deserved to win this year's award.

Speaking in an interview with Catalan broadcaster TV3 while in Qatar (h/t AS), Xavi said Real's UEFA Champions League triumph and Portugal's Euro 2016 win were the major deciders, as opposed to individual merit.

Xavi, who left the Camp Nou for Qatari side Al Sadd in 2015, said: "Titles took precedence, while there are other years in which it is not like this and they value the best player in the world.