Xavi

The media talked a lot about Xavi and Iniesta being favourites, and all that talk had left me a little bit out of the polls.

"As for Xavi, it will hurt as well. I have known him a long time and I am very appreciative of him, " Mourinho said.

Your Barcelona team-mates Xavi and Andres Iniesta have admitted they were relieved to see Argentina knocked out by Germany.

Lionel Messi: I'm happy, but I didn't expect it because everyone had been talking so much about Xavi and Andres [Iniesta].

Xavi (Spain) - You could pick Alonso or Iniesta but I love to watch Xavi play.

A product of the Barcelona youth system, Xavi moved up to the senior team in 1998 and has been there ever since.

The 19-year-old held his own against the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta and admits he relished every minute of their battles.

Messi's Barcelona teammate and fellow Ballon d'Or nominee Xavi insisted he wasn't too disappointed to have missed out.

My favourite players are the Spanish ones, Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xavi Alonso, Arbeloa.

Xavi was the man dictating the pace, the flow, the speed, the game; game after game after game.

That's where they have the players who can dominate the game, especially Xavi, and a big part of the game will be decided there.

Xavi: He gives you everything. Trust demands, discipline. Pep's figure. . . he captivates you without even talking.

That's where the support of team-mates like Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [David] Villa or Pedro, who are great at playing one-twos, is vital.

As a footballer Messi has everything but Xavi and Iniesta are the best I have seen playing the game with the ball at their feet.

Xavi has long been sort after by Mourinho who knows the Catalan player since his days as assistant coach at Barcelona.

Xavi: OK, but don't forget to switch it off before you go, ok? . . . See you tomorrow. . . (turning off the light) It's better, this way.

Barcelona midfield ace Xavi admits he'd welcome Chelsea star Frank Lampard to the Nou Camp next season.

And I think they (Xavi and Iniesta) know that Argentina are always difficult opponents, whatever form they're in.

"Ronaldo has goals, dribbling, pace and a winning mentality but also he over- complicates things, " Xavi said in the Daily Express.

"I have already spoken on this issue. For me, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are players from another planet, " the los Blancos mastermind told AS.

The highest compliment I can pay him is that he's as creative as a Xavi at Barcelona, with something extra as well.

Xavi's progress meant he eventually played alongside Guardiola , now the first La Masia graduate to coach the first team .

De Visser added: "Xavi is technically superb, he knows how to lose his marker well and choose the right moment to pass. "

Xavi himself has won a plethora of awards including being included in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Al Star Team.

By the break, Xavi, Keita, Busquets and Iniesta had played 153 passes; Inter's midfield four had barely made 50.

Xavi: "Cesc totally understands the concepts and you don't have to explain him anything. It's as if he never left. " [via marca]

Even Xavi and Iniesta accept that Messi is the man. No problem.

Xavi and Iniesta are rightly lauded but would they look half as good if they went to another club?

And, of course, the guile and creativity of Sneijder who is every bit a peer to the Spanish supremos Xavi and Iniesta.

After that, Xavi scored, Messi rolled in the third from the penalty spot.

Their rankings match the opinions of coaches and experts. For example, all agree that Spain's Xavi is a great player.

He still has a lot to learn before he can even hold a candle to the likes of Xavi and Iniesta, undisputed starters in Barcelona's midfield.

For example, all agree that Spain's Xavi is a great player.

It's harder to stop Messi than Xavi or Andres Iniesta because he can make the pass, can dribble, can score.

I am not surprised that they elected Messi. I think that Xavi and Iniesta have deserved to win, but Messi is a player who is above everyone.

"The 6-2 win [in May last year] at the Bernabeu was a perfect result but this is even better because of the way we played, " Xavi added.

"This one is very special because I want to share this with my friend and teammate Xavi. He deserves it, " Messi said.