“Messi would have scored more in EPL” – Xavi

Xavi Hernandez has insisted that his Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, would have scored more goals if he played in the English Premier League.

Messi is on the verge of breaking Telmo Zarra’d record for the most La Liga goals and has won four consecutive Ballon d’Or prizes from 2009 to 2012.

A lot of critics have said that the 27-year-old would not have shone so much if he played in England, but Xavi disagrees.

“I think he’d be even better in the Premier League because it is not so defensive,” the 34-year-old told BBC Sport.

“When defending against Barcelona, they [English clubs] play on a 1 v 1 basis, defending with passion, a lot of energy. But Leo would find more spaces than in La Liga.”

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