Xavi Hernandez reveals the real reason why Ronaldinho and Neymar failed to match Lionel Messi’s longevity at Barcelona

Netherlands manager Xavi has offered insight into the precipitous decline in form experienced by Ronaldinho after his 2005 Ballon d'Or victory at Barcelona. The legendary Spanish midfielder has stated that the Brazilian's sudden drop in performance was primarily due to a lack of motivation and hunger, rather than his infamous off-field lifestyle.

Xavi believes that Ronaldinho simply lost his competitive edge following the collection of both domestic and European triumphs during his time at Barcelona's Nou Camp. Having secured these major individual and team victories, the attacker reportedly felt he had accomplished everything, causing his drive and enthusiasm to wane.

Comparing Ronaldinho's mindset to that of his contemporary, Lionel Messi, Xavi highlighted the Argentine forward's relentless pursuit of excellence. Messi, who has spent nearly two decades operating at the peak of his sport, continues to surpass himself and maintain his dominance. Xavi noted that Messi's mentality differs from Ronaldinho's in that he always desired more, pushing himself to continually improve and evolve as a player.

The former midfielder also drew parallels between Ronaldinho and Neymar's career trajectories following their respective departures from Barcelona. Both players experienced a decline in performance after trading their shirts to Paris Saint-Germain, and Xavi attributed this to a similar issue of declining mentality.

In concluding his assessment, Xavi praised the unparalleled longevity of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, two players who have managed to maintain their excellence on the pitch despite the natural decline in athletic ability. He stressed that players who do not recognize their own declining mentality will inevitably struggle to remain at the same level of performance, unlike Messi and Ronaldo, who have consistently proven their unwavering dedication and mental fortitude.