Xavi Names Only Player Greater Than Ronaldinho

The Spaniard believes Messi has the edge over Ronaldinho because of his consistency.

Xavi, who played alongside Ronaldinho at Barcelona, told Globo Esporte: “Ronaldinho is at the level of the best, perhaps what he lacked was consistency.

“Perhaps he lacked consistency in being at his peak. For me, only Messi is above Ronaldinho because of his consistency in the last few years.

“Messi is the best in history, but Ronaldinho is among the best. The rest follow.

“Ronaldinho is among the best with Ronaldo, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, that group.”

Ronaldinho and his brother, Roberto, are currently held in a police cell in Paraguay since March 5 for allegedly using false passports upon their arrival in Paraguay capital Asuncion.

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Anaedoonline.com reported that Ronaldinho retired from football, his brother and agent Roberto Assis has confirmed.

The 37-year-old has not played for a professional team since leaving Fluminense in 2015.

Last July, Ronaldinho admitted after a friendly in Chechnya, that was he was “too old” to return to action.

Roberto Assis confirmed the news of his brother’s decision in a column for the Brazilian media outlet, O Globo.

“He has stopped, it is ended.

“Let’s do something pretty big and nice after the Russia World Cup, probably in August. We will do various events in Brazil, Europe and Asia and, of course, we are arranging something with the Brazilian team as well,” Assis said.j

Ronaldinho won the Ballon D’Or during his playing spell. His five-year spell at Barcelona was the pinnacle of his club career, where he won two league titles, the 2005 Ballon d’Or and the 2006 Champions League.