Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez remains adamant his former teammate is a cut above the rest, including perennial rival Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The Spanish maestro is confident there will never be another player like the Argentine, believing no player will be able to match his level.

‘For me, there is no heir to Messi. There will never be one. There will be very good footballers, but nobody at Messi’s level,’ he told Sport.

‘To be at the top for so many years, winning so many individual and team trophies, will be impossible to surmount.In the future, everything will be more equal amongst the best players,’ he added.

Xavi believes that despite the intensity of the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry, Messi remains comfortable ahead.

‘Though now they try to sell the story of the Cristiano and Messi battle, those of us who know football know there is no comparison.

‘When Messi ends his career, there will be Neymar, Hazard, five or 10 players at a similar level, but none with the unquestionable superiority of Messi,’ he said.

Ronaldo recently picked up his first international trophy as Portugal claimed the Euro 2016 title. Messi, however, as the upper hand at club level having lifted 28 trophies with Barcelona.