After his team was drawn against Manchester United in the Europa League playoff, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández commented on Cristiano Ronaldo.
On Monday, Man United and Barcelona were matched up in the Europa League knockout round.
Barcelona came in third place in their Champions League group and is now competing against Erik ten Hag’s team in the Europa League.
As a result, Ronaldo will play Barcelona, a team he scored 20 goals against while a member of Real Madrid for nine years.
Xavi said that Ronaldo, 37, can still make a difference when asked about the matchup against him on Monday afternoon during his news conference.
Additionally, the Spaniard downplayed claims of Ronaldo’s “decline.”
Xavi said: “Barcelona have never won the Europa League. It’s a challenge, we are going to try and win it.
Ronaldo deteriorating? I think he’s a tremendous player who helped define a time in football history and still has it in him to make a difference.
Man United and Barcelona’s playoff matchup will consist of two legs, with the first leg taking place on February 16, 2023, and the second leg taking place on February 23.
