Barcelona's Xavi: Lionel Messi is better than Pele, Diego Maradona and Johan Cruyff

The Barca playmaker has made a bold claim about his employers and star teammate, whilst also praising their Champions League final opponents for their approach to the game.

Xavi believes that Barcelona is the best team of the last 20 years, and also claimed that Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time.

The Blaugrana were in scintillating form again last season, winning a third consecutive La Liga title and collecting a second Champions League trophy in three years.

The Spain international spoke in an interview with German newspaper Bild, and was asked to comment on where he felt his team would be placed among the all time elite.

Barca players parade with trophy on open-top bus

BARCELONA, Spain (AP)—Barcelona players rode through the Catalan capital in an open-top bus Sunday, showing off the Champions League trophy they won by beating Manchester United in the final.

Thousands of fans greeted the players as the bus—decked out in the club’s red and blue colors with the word “Champions” on the sides—wound its way through the city.

The players later were introduced one by one before a packed crowd of more than 90,000 fans

UEFA Championship: Man Utd vs FC Barcelona HIGHLIGHTS

Barcelona 1-0 Manchester United Rodriguez Goal!


Barcelona 1-1 Manchester United Rooney Goal!


Barcelona 2-1 Manchester United Messi Goal!


Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United David Villa Goal!

Full time 3-1 over Barca!

Messi defines current Champions League era

LONDON - At the age of 23, Barcelona's Lionel Messi has already come to define an era of European football in a way only a handful of players have managed since the days of Alfredo di Stefano.

Right now, as he prepares for Saturday's Champions League final against Manchester United, Messi is undisputedly the world's best, though he may have to win a World Cup to secure a place alongside all-time greats Pele and Diego Maradona.

In the Champions League, his 11 goals in 12 matches make him the top scorer this season and the most recent of them, a virtuoso run and shot in the semi-final first leg against Real Madrid, took the breath away for sheer technique and timing.

Wayne Rooney vs Lionel Messi: Comparing the Stars of the Champions League Final

 

Spain’s best vs. England’s best.

England’s best player vs. the world’s best player.

FC Barcelona vs. Manchester United.

Wayne Rooney vs. Lionel Messi.

Saturday, the 28th of May will see the Red Devils take on La Blaugrana in a repeat of the 2009 UEFA Champions League final.