Xavi Hernandez, the former manager of Barcelona, has shared his thoughts on the 2021 Ballon d'Or award. The Catalan football club's legend expressed his opinion on the winner, Lionel Messi, and the runner-up, Karim Benzema, as well as the fifth-placed player, Lautaro Martinez, and the sixth-placed player, Robert Lewandowski. Xavi also made a point about the player who finished seventh, Olivier Giroud, and the top seven players in general, saying they all deserved the award.

Xavi, who is now the manager of Barcelona, stated that he believes it was a close call between the top three contenders. He praised the skills of Lionel Messi, who he feels is an all-around player with incredible ability and experience. Karim Benzema, the Real Madrid player, also received high praise from Xavi, who noted that the Frenchman is a clinical finisher with exceptional vision on the field. Lautaro Martinez, the Inter Milan player, was also commended for his impressive skill and speed.

Xavi pointed out that Olivier Giroud, the Chelsea player, was a standout performer in the seventh position. He highlighted Giroud's ability to score goals and contribute to his team's success, especially in big games. The former Barcelona manager emphasized that the top seven players in the Ballon d'Or rankings all demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to their craft.

Xavi believes that the Ballon d'Or award is not solely determined by the number of goals scored, but rather by the overall impact a player has on their team. He believes that players like Lionel Messi, who consistently deliver high-level performances throughout the season, are deserving of the award.

The former Barcelona manager also mentioned that he was surprised by the omission of certain players, including Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne, from the top seven. However, he acknowledged that the Ballon d'Or award is subjective and that opinions on the best player will always vary.