If you can not link up well with Messi, football is not for you: Xavi

Xavi praises Messi and says that a footballer should be in sync with the Argentine

Barcelona midfielder Xavi praised Lionel Messi by saying he makes it easy for others to play with him. The veteran stated that if a footballer can not link up with Messi then he has no right to be in the game.

He said, “If you can't link up well with Messi, football's not for you.”

Messi was linked with numerous transfer rumours, but all were silenced by the player at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. He received praise from Luis Enrique after the Argentine scored a hat-trick in the 4-0 victory against Deportivo La Coruna.

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic was seen in fabulous sync with Messi during the match against Deportivo at the Riazor. When Xavi was asked about his experience alongside the Argentine, he said that it has always been easy for him to achieve sync with Messi. He has assisted dozens of goals for the forward over the last ten years.

“Luis Aragones left a huge mark on me”

Xavi revealed that the late Luis Aragones was an important figure in his career and he learnt the most from the late coach. Xavi said, “I've learned from all of them (coaches), but it's true that Luis Aragones left a huge mark on me personally”.

Aragones led Spain to glory in the Euro 2008 with the famous tiki-taka style which was all about short passing, patience and possession.

Xavi also talked about two Spaniards plying their trade in England that he would like to buy.

“I'd sign (David) Silva and (Santi) Cazorla if I could. There are a lot of really talented Spanish players I'd love to see join Barcelona,” said Xavi.