Former Barcelona midfielder Xavi has insisted that Lionel Messi is more mature than PSG Star Neymar Jr.

Messi has been at his usual best and has scored 11 goals in all competitions so far this season.

Since Neymar’s exit to PSG, Barca have moved on from the Brazilian and signed Dembele, Coutinho and co to replace him.

However, Neymar has been linked with a return to the Camp Nou in recent weeks.

It is claimed the 26-year-old isn’t happy in France and regrets his decision to leave Barcelona for the French Capital.

And club Legend Xavi has insisted that Lionel Messi is more mature than Neymar.

“They are different,” Xavi told Super Deportivo de Villa Trinidad.

“I see Leo with great footballing maturity. He does everything well.

“Neymar is a person who has to mature, but he seems like a player with enormous capacity to make a difference.

“Although he could improve, he is among the top players in the world.”

Messi was recently criticised by Argentina Legend Diego Maradona for his lack of leadership qualities.

But Xavi thinks the criticism was unnecessary.

“I disagree with Maradona,” he added.

“Messi is an incredible leader, he is maybe quiet in the dressing room but he’s an absolute leader.

“He always wantsthe ball, he always offers himself, he has personality. He has never hidden.

“I don’t like it when former footballers are too critical with former team-mates. I’m not just talking about Maradona, but in general.

“These footballers who are very critical with their professional team-mates…they have been there and they know the difficulty. I don’t understand the strong criticism against players when you have been there too.”