Former FC Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez has been critical of European champions Real Madrid, slamming the way they currently play.
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Despite seeing Los Blancos lift the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles last season, the former Blaugrana star feels that Real lack a culture of beautiful football.
"Barcelona is the final exam for a player," Xavi told El Pais.
"It is the most challenging club and the most demanding in the world. Madrid do not play so beautifully. At the Bernabeu, if a defender hoofs the ball into the stand, it is okay. That is the culture. The fans applaud.
"At the Camp Nou, you knock the ball into the stand, and the grumbles are so loud it is negative. Since (Johan) Cruyff's time.
"Mourinho's Madrid hit the ball directly over the top. Mourinho told his players never to stop the ball, to play quickly and then (Angel) Di Maria, Cristiano (Ronaldo) or (Karim) Benzema would break. Now they do it with (Gareth) Bale. They don't want to play football."
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Los Blancos are currently fourth in La Liga, 16 points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, although they do have a game in hand.
Do you agree with Xavi's opinion on the way Real play? Have your say in the comments section below.
