Former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has said Spain’s 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph supports Cristiano Ronaldo’s view that winning the UEFA European Championship is comparable to winning the World Cup.
According to The Independent on July 23, 2026, Xavi made the remarks during a press conference, reflecting on Spain’s success on the world stage.
“I think after this World Cup tournament, many people will understand that Cristiano Ronaldo was right when he said winning the Euro Championship is just like winning the World Cup,” Xavi said.
He added that Europe’s leading national teams are among the strongest in world football, making the European Championship one of the most competitive international tournaments.
“The best national teams in Europe are at an incredibly high level, and beating them is very difficult. They have extraordinary players, are tactically well drilled, and maintain a blistering pace throughout the entire match,” he said.
Xavi praised Ronaldo’s understanding of the game, arguing that Spain’s World Cup victory after winning Euro 2024 demonstrated the high standard of European football and reinforced the significance of lifting the continental title.
