Barcelona legend Xavi claims Riyad Mahrez is good enough to play for the Spanish giants
Midfield maestro is a huge fans of of Algerian who helped inspire Leicester to title
FORMER Barcelona star Xavi claims Riyad Mahrez is good enough to play for the Spanish giants.
Xavi is regarded as one of the greatest players ever to play at the Nou Camp after winning four Champions Leagues and eight La Liga titles with the club.
And the 36-year-old midfielder insists Leicester wide-man Mahrez has what it takes to play for Barca.
But Xavi admits he is delighted for the Foxes that the Algerian decided to sign a new long-term contract with the Premier League champions over the summer.
Mahrez was chased by a string of clubs including Barcelona and Arsenal, but the 25-year-old opted to commit his future to Leicester.
Xavi, who revealed he is a fan of Championship side Brighton last week said: "Mahrez is good enough to player for Barcelona, but I am pleased he decided to stay with Leicester.
"He clearly must have had options, but if Leicester had lost their big player after such a big achievement it would have been a shame.
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"It will be interesting to see how him and Leicester perform in Europe this season."
Leicester begin their first ever season in the Champions League on September 14 when they travel to take on Belgian side Brugge.
Their first European match at the King Power Stadium comes a fortnight later when Porto visit the midlands, with Danish side FC Copenhagen making up the last place in the group.