Samuel Eto’o defends ex-Barcelona team-mate Xavi after Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s scathing comments
The Spaniard claimed Messi was better than the Portuguese captain and he hit back with his Ballon d'Or awards - but Eto'o says Xavi would have won them if the award was "fair"
SAMUEL ETO'O has become the latest player to weigh in to the Cristiano Ronaldo v Lionel Messi debate.
And the former Barcelona star has defended Xavi who said Ronaldo was nowhere near Messi's level.
Real Madrid superstar Ron hit back by reminding Xavi he had never won the Ballon d'Or - but Eto'o claims the Spaniard would have if the award was 'fair'.
Eto'o told El Larguero: "Had the Ballon d'Or been a fair award, Xavi would have won it five or six times.
"Xavi deserves all the respect in the world."
Former Barcelona star Xavi started the war of words when asked about the two La Liga rivals.
Xavi said: “Ronaldo is extraordinary.
“But compared to Messi, for me and for everyone who likes football, there can be no comparisons.”
Ronaldo - who has lifted the Ballon d'Or three times - did not hold back when asked about Xavi's comments.
He said: “The most searched for player on the Internet is me.
“Those that want to appear on front covers [of newspapers] or promote things speak about me.
“What does it matter to me what Xavi says? He plays where? In Qatar or, I don’t know.