Is Xavi still a top 5 player in the world?

[bbms]

I didn't ever thought Xavi as a Top 5 player, seriously. I think he'd struggle mightly on a team of his own, and the same I can say about Iniesta. I always felt that if you replace Fabregas on his Arsenal days with Iniesta or Xavi, the two Barca guys wouldn't have the same productivity as Fabregas did. Fabregas was the greatest assistant and scorer on that team.

I guess this is just me.

Since Euro 08, I can see clearly that whenever Fabregas gets in action for the Spanish team, they become a more offensive and goal scoring team. Remember Russia vs Spain for Euro 2008, or WC 2010 Finals, when he took over the game and started the play that ended with the Championship Goal by Iniesta.

I always felt that 07-10 Fabregas, 08-10 Rooney, 08-10 Torres, Ibrahimovic, Eto'o, 07-09 Gerrard, David Silva, 07-09 Kaka and Drogba were ahead of him as INDIVIDUAL players, not to mention defensive players like 08-10 Maicon, 09 Lucio, and Vidic.

This is just my personal opinion.

[Massimo]

Iniesta and van Persie are locks too. I'd say he is 5th but players like Silva are really close to him.

Van Persie cannot be in top 20.

[bbms]

This Year, 2012, I can see Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, Silva, Drogba, Aguero, Thiago Silva, Kompany, Van Persie, Pirlo, Scheinsteiger, Ozil, Lahm, Modric, Vidic, Falcao, Cavani and Ibrahimovic better than Xavi.

[cgf]

Iniesta and van Persie are locks too. I'd say he is 5th but players like Silva are really close to him.

Van Persie cannot be in top 20.

Do you just like to **** on every highly rated player? RVP is coming off a phenomenal season and right now he certainly has a case for the 5th spot. Now if he doesn't do as well next season or gets hurt, as is likely, he won't be anymore, but right now? He's top 10.

[Slava]

This Year, 2012, I can see Messi, Ronaldo, Iniesta, Silva, Drogba, Aguero, Thiago Silva, Kompany, Van Persie, Pirlo, Scheinsteiger, Ozil, Lahm, Modric, Vidic, Falcao, Cavani and Ibrahimovic better than Xavi.

Modric and Cavani won't be fit enough to lace Xavi's cleats.