Xavi urges Ron to quit United

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By Chris Burton   Last updated: 23rd April 2008

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Barcelona midfielder Xavi has turned up the heat ahead of the UEFA Champions League semi-final by saying Cristiano Ronaldo could be an even better player in Spain.

The Spanish international believes that the Manchester United winger has a tendency to overcomplicate things at times, and can even border on the verge of arrogance, but admits to being a huge admirer of the Portuguese star.

However, Xavi has also insinuated that Ronaldo has it easy in England as he given more time and space to showcase his talent, and feels that a real test of his ability would be provided by the tight and uncompromising defences in the Primera Division.

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

Superior

"He feels so superior to everybody, and rightly so, that he tries things that are unnecessary.

"He could be a much better player if he was here, playing with us. I have a soft spot for him. I would love him to join us.

"I feel that at the moment he doesn't get as much pressure, as many demands, as he would get here. In England, if you do a couple of things right, people talk about you being a legend.

"Here if you don't control a ball properly or if you kick the ball into the stands, people hate you. So you have to become a better player.

"Along with Lionel Messi, Ronaldo is the best player in the world. In fact he is in front of Leo in terms of influence in a game. The kid has everything. We are talking about physical and technical football."

Style

Xavi also gave former Arsenal star Thierry Henry as the perfect example of how world class talent can find it difficult to adapt to the rigours of life in the Spanish top flight.

"Fernando Torres is a better player over in England, with all the space he finds in front of him; here defences place themselves in their own box," he said,

"Thierry is like a horse that needs space to turn and he doesn't find it here. He has played better in away games, but in the Camp Nou he struggles.

"It is true the pace of the game between Liverpool and Arsenal was amazing, but the ball was lost or robbed every 30 seconds - that is not beautiful football.

"Football is played with the ball, it is about moving it from side to side to find spaces, to find yourself in superiority on the wing, to have little moments of magic.

"We can all be physical but not everybody can be tactically adept. That needs training and faith in that style. This way of playing has got much more merit."