Former Barcelona coach Xavi has showered immense praise on Lionel Messi, drawing a comparison between the Argentine superstar and basketball icon Michael Jordan. His comments follow Messi’s breathtaking hat-trick against Algeria at the 2026 World Cup, a performance that saw the Argentine equal the record for the most goals scored in the tournament’s history.

The Jordan of the football field

Xavi, who shared countless triumphs alongside Messi at Camp Nou, has never hidden his admiration for his former teammate. However, his latest remarks elevate the Inter Miami captain to an unparalleled level of sporting greatness. Comparing Messi’s enduring brilliance and influence to that of the Chicago Bulls legend, Xavi believes the Argentine has now outshone every rival in football history to claim the title of the greatest of all time.

“I like to say that he is the Michael Jordan of football,” the former Barcelona midfielder told The Athletic. “In football, there’s no one who can be compared to him. He has surpassed the legends of the past because of his consistency: he has been the best for the last 20 years. Even now, after all this time, he continues to prove it. His mentality is extraordinary.”

He further added, “For me, that’s what makes him unique. He can’t tolerate losing. He has the ideal mindset for football and a body perfectly suited to the sport. Forget the goals he scored against Algeria; just look at his overall game, his fitness, and the relentless determination he brings. His champion’s mentality is beyond comparison.”

Unmatched and 'almost inhuman' levels

Despite being 38 years old, Messi’s performance in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria stunned football fans worldwide. The veteran forward opened the scoring and then dismantled the opposition defence with two more goals, prompting Xavi to admit that even now, he remains amazed by the Argentine maestro’s ability to dominate the world stage.

“I sent Leo a message after the Algeria match. I told him he was unbelievable, that all I could do was laugh at what he had done. It was insane, truly insane. But that’s Leo. He always shows up when it matters most. For me, he’s incomparable. Incomparable. Almost inhuman,” Xavi said.

The intelligence behind the brilliance

Xavi emphasised that Messi’s genius is not limited to his physical ability but also lies in his extraordinary understanding of football. He explained that Messi uses what he calls “scanning” — a method of constantly observing the field to exploit spaces and weaknesses — even when he appears to be walking.

He elaborated: “His first goal against Algeria was classic Leo. When Rodrigo De Paul looked up, Leo was exactly where he needed to be, in the perfect position to receive the pass. Then he glanced around three times. That’s one of his secrets. He’s always scanning, always analysing his surroundings. He’s got everything in his head. Many times, he’s just walking, but while walking he’s observing. His teammates are moving the ball, and he’s studying what the defensive midfielder is doing, what the centre-back is doing, and where the open spaces are. His football intelligence is elite.”

A master of every role

Reflecting on their time together in Catalonia, Xavi recalled that Messi’s versatility was so extraordinary that he could have replaced any of his legendary teammates in their positions. Whether in defensive midfield or central defence, Messi possessed the technical skill and game intelligence to excel in any role on the pitch.

“We often did mental exercises at Barcelona — drills to find space or identify the free player. Leo was the best at these. I’m not exaggerating when I say he could have played in Iniesta’s position, Busquets’ position, Puyol’s position, or mine. He could perform as well as the best player in every role,” Xavi said.

“The same applies even today. I recognised his extraordinary talent when he was just 16, but to sustain this level for so long is simply astonishing. I consider myself fortunate to have played alongside him and to have shared football history with him. I don’t think the world will ever witness another player like Messi again.”