Xavi slams Ballon d'Or decision making after Messi finishes fifth | OneFootball

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Xavi slams Ballon d'Or decision making after Messi finishes fifth | OneFootball

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Phil Costa·16 December 2018

Xavi slams Ballon d'Or decision making after Messi finishes fifth

Article image:Xavi slams Ballon d'Or decision making after Messi finishes fifth

Xavi believes the Ballon d’Or voting system is “unfair” after Lionel Messi finished fifth in 2018.

Messi – winner of five awards between 2009 and 2015 – was criticised after failing to lead Argentina to World Cup glory.

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However, upon closer inspection, the Argentine was more influential than many of his peers and Xavi believes his ridiculously high standards went against him.

“In my opinion, it’s not fair,” he told reporters. “Messi is the best player I’ve ever seen.

“I would give him the Ballon d’Or every year if I could but unfortunately that decision isn’t up to me.

“Modrić did well to win and I’m happy for him, but honestly, Messi is the best.”

Barcelona face Levante at the Estadi Ciutat de València on Sunday and Messi is expected to lead the line.

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