Xavi Hernandez has moved to defend Lionel Messi following his penalty miss against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
By his own hugely impressive standards, this has been a slow season for the 34-year-old and the Paris Saint-Germain’s forward’s failure to convert from the spot at the Parc des Princes raised questions about his ability to take spot-kicks.
In a rather strange quirk of his career, Messi has missed the highest number of penalties in the history of a competition he was won on four occasions, beating Thierry Henry’s record of four.
PSG, however, take a lead to the Santiago Bernabeu after Kylian Mbappe’s late goal ensured a dramatic finish to the game.
Speaking ahead of Barcelona’s Europa League meeting with Napoli on Thursday, Xavi leapt to the defence of his former teammate.
“Playing for PSG and being Messi, it is normal people will criticise him,” he said.
“If they only focus on that penalty shot then it’s normal to receive only criticism.
“I wish him the best. He is my friend. For everything he’s given to Barcelona. He is the best player in the history of football, for me. Without a doubt.”
