Emotional letter from Xavi to Messi

Xavi Hernandez dedicated an emotional letter to Leo Messi. Here is an extract from that letter which was published in El Pais.

"Since I first met him he hasn't stopped evolving. He has improved on what he already had and has become a prolific goalscorer. Just as Pep said, he has mastered every aspect of the game. We'll never see anything like it again. Not only because of what he's capable of doing, but also for how long he's been doing it. Others have lasted two or three years. It looks like he'll never stop.

We 'Cules' have been lucky that he came to Barcelona. Without him, Barca would not be the same, he's the cornerstone to the success the club has had in the last ten years.

Personally I consider myself his friend. As a person he's an introvert. It's difficult for him to open up, but when he's confident, he's a lot of fun, a big joker. He's very ironic. And he's got a real big heart, he's a good person.

But what I most value about him is that he's a straight-up guy. He'll never deceive you. He's got a strong character and when he doesn't like something, he doesn't like it. But he'll say it to your face. I have the feeling that he'd never betray me, ever. Messi only deceives the defenders and goalkeepers. From that point of view we're very similar. Thanks Leo.

And thanks for playing how you play, for the way you lose your man, your goals, your passes, your dribbling, for what you have given to Barça and to football. And for being how you are.

And congratulations on another Ballon d'Or. You have earnt it".