Whoever takes over the best player in the world mantel after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are done with it has been subject to much debate, with Xavi putting forward Neymar as his best prediction.
The Paris Saint-Germain star will quickly have a rival, in the Spaniard's eyes, as Kylian Mbappe is another rising star he rates very highly.
"I think there will be a while after Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] when Neymar will be the reference point," the midfielder told El Pais.
"Especially as he is Brazilian; Brazil have every chance of making it to a World Cup final.
"The Neymar era will last three or four years, and then Mbappe's time will come. He has mad potential. And he is still young; he's only 19. He is a monster."
Comparing the PSG pair to greats of the past, Xavi discussed how the best players team up technical talent with raw physical capabilities.
"I think that talent beats physical gifts," he continued. "Neymar is like Messi: talent and physicality. I think that Mbappe has more physical gifts than talent.
"Players who have been truly gifted have both: Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar. Mbappe has talent too, but I see him as more of a [Thierry] Henry.
"Mbappe needs to improve numerous things in terms of his understanding of the game. Because, when he was a kid, he didn't need to think; he made the difference thanks to his power and pace.
"I would like to see Mbappe up against a defence like that of Atletico Madrid. The way I see things, right now Neymar is the better player."
Caecloprz
4
This year's Real Madrid Paris collision will decide which team coach will be in class
we're become I it jamb tonal do news
MCRM
2
Wearing 10 does not mean anything to me anyway, i jst like any guy playing the type of game i want who can give me happiness whenever i am watching him playing.
KrisJunior11
1
You may not like him for the reason best know to you, but the fact is that the guy is among the best in the world and he has proved it for not disappointing those who love the way he play, we can see the evidence for winning lot of prices in the last few months. To be chosen as the best in England consecutively and the best in Africa did not just happened, it is reward for hard work. Those who are the best today don't just happened over night, Salah and Kane will not be difference. Those who value good players without attaching any sentiment will always cherish and happy with what those guys are doing at the moment.
this still makes me think Is salah wearing no 10 now
KrisJunior11
1
You may not like him for the reason best know to you, but the fact is that the guy is among the best in the world and he has proved it for not disappointing those who love the way he play, we can see the evidence for winning lot of prices in the last few months. To be chosen as the best in England consecutively and the best in Africa did not just happened, it is reward for hard work. Those who are the best today don't just happened over night, Salah and Kane will not be difference. Those who value good players without attaching any sentiment will always cherish and happy with what those guys are doing at the moment.
well in that sense I respect ur choice but I don't think they re so well a match to NEYMAR in the come. Well Robben from the bundesliga giants will top these epl players in way of votes .
MCRM
3
haha u make me laugh by including these . well this makes me think . will salah get no 10 Jersey after Coutinho left.
You may not like him for the reason best know to you, but the fact is that the guy is among the best in the world and he has proved it for not disappointing those who love the way he play, we can see the evidence for winning lot of prices in the last few months. To be chosen as the best in England consecutively and the best in Africa did not just happened, it is reward for hard work. Those who are the best today don't just happened over night, Salah and Kane will not be difference. Those who value good players without attaching any sentiment will always cherish and happy with what those guys are doing at the moment.
Acktar
4
well in that sense when u talk about form I think u r pretty right.
Thanks. But you were also right because for now he's the only one capable of rivalling these two phenomenons! I was talking more about the future
KrisJunior11
2
Yes he's currently the best behind Messi and Ronaldo but you do not know how much the rest will improve in the years to come!
well in that sense when u talk about form I think u r pretty right.
Acktar
5
there will be only one man NEYMAR junior and competition would be for the 2nd place after him . I can tell this bcoz in every place u see messi n cr7 fighting for the first n 2nd . NEYMAR consistent in the 3rd n others fighting for 4th position.
Yes he's currently the best behind Messi and Ronaldo but you do not know how much the rest will improve in the years to come!
KrisJunior11
5
I think that after the Messi and Ronaldo era, there will be a lot of competition for the title of best player in the world! We've not only got Neymar and Mbappe but maybe players like Hazard, Coutinho, Griezman, Dybala and Acensio etc... Though Neymar will be most likely the favourite among these guys
there will be only one man NEYMAR junior and competition would be for the 2nd place after him . I can tell this bcoz in every place u see messi n cr7 fighting for the first n 2nd . NEYMAR consistent in the 3rd n others fighting for 4th position.
KrisJunior11
4
harry kane and salah era
plzz talk sense
KrisJunior11
1
What of Salah and Kane.
haha u make me laugh by including these . well this makes me think . will salah get no 10 Jersey after Coutinho left.
KrisJunior11
4
undoubtedly NEYMAR is the best prediction as he even makes cr7 n lm10 in way of skills But mbappe alongside him as a rival is way too hard to believe . I think NEYMAR hardly has any class opponents other than messi or cr7. but underestimating bale n robben n Coutinho would not be good for NEYMAR.
EliseManUfan
2
Mbappe is a very talented player he is amongst the best players in the world and he is just 19! This is incredible i love this guy
wusadu
0
He trying to justify his Lords in Qatar. so included mbappe instead of Hazard. very sad ๐
MCRM
0
What of Salah and Kane.
wusadu
1
no Neymar and Eden Hazard era
he talks boring every time.. he know not what he talking about
Tanzania4130144
0
ligue 1 nothing to get best players especially Bali d`or coz their league for now is not.best compared to la liga,EPL,serial A and bundesliga and to win balon ua supposed to win Uefa and to be best top scorer in the five best league in Europe neymar when I'll remain there nothing I'll get even mbape go to la liga or EPL u I'll succeed
Zoueirs
2
After ronaldo and messi there will be coutinho,neymar and mbappe eras
Well talk bro.
DENILSON11
1
Lukaku and Bakayoko era
AmanSharma
1
absolutely wright and coutinho isco and graizman too are in compitition
Ruhciklmyz
3
yes it is true
Yiwbirt
1
Neymar is the next winner of the golden ball, and then Mpape is the next
remove Asensio and put Kane
Yiwbirt
2
no Neymar and Eden Hazard era
Kuteesa Kalangala Ug
0
wy don't u talk abt Zidane? is it bcz he was better than u?
Nigeria2437
0
Mbappe no way!
Andrej1992
4
pls try and talk sense
I am unfortunatelly :)
fiona
1
look at the legendary
Nenaeiklop
6
Yeah,Neymar is one the best young players in the world but not Mbappe. Even though he is doing great in PSG with Cavani and Neymar but i don't think he will make something spectacular for the world to remember his name. In my opinion,there will be great competition between Rushford,Lingard,Asensio,Neymar and Jesus. All young and perspective players which are playing in big clubs ( except Jesus and Neymar ๐ )
pls try and talk sense
deevyn
8
Neymar and Mbappe ERA coming soon!
leaackns
3
Xavi is just to wise he knows how to talk he is a legend and also an intelligent man
mr nobodycr7
5
Dont forget Harry Kane also...he has also proven himself to be a rising star consistently...
he cnt win ballodor wth trophless club
zizdiklrz
4
Dont forget Harry Kane also...he has also proven himself to be a rising star consistently...
kekhav
2
legends r coming...๐๐
Tomcdetz
4
harry kane and salah era
Messifanatic
3
Never
obed-messi1
2
Dybala is also good and after Messi and Ronaldo many player would have the opportunity of winning balon d'or it wouldn't be between two pichichies
martinikechukwu58
5
very true
Boybcersuz
8
Neymar Jr and Dybala
wawbdmt
0
Messi Cristiano RonaIdo
wedcru
3
this guy could have won world's best player as well as Iniesta and A. Robben
Parul Bora
1
Well said
Hazari8393
1
Kevin also
lementz
4
messi is my best player in the world than xavi
RYANLEW
6
After ronaldo and messi there will be coutinho,neymar and mbappe eras
citizens
1
Xavi, in that way, has been very respectful of them
verbiagea
1
Envy. All two talented players are in Paris
opportu
1
The Paris team inside the two genius, this is the European crown
Patrickpk
1
and Alexander Lacazette too
remikn
3
my own view after messi and ronaldo era its neymar and hazard my opinion though
Patrickpk
1
He also forgot to mention Mo Salah and Harry Kane