Cristiano Ronaldo blasts Xavi over Lionel Messi dig -- 'The most searched for player on the internet is me, I've won three Ballon d'Ors and he hasn't won any'

  **  Xavi said Cristiano Ronaldo was unfortunate to be living in the same era as his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi
 **   His comments prompted a stunning reaction from Real Madrid's Ronaldo
**    Ronaldo has mocked Xavi and his failure to win the Ballon d'Or
 **



Cristiano Ronaldo has lashed out at Xavi Hernandez after the former Barcelona player suggested the Real Madrid man was unlucky to be living in the same era as Lionel Messi.

Xavi hailed the Portuguese forward as an elite player, but pointed out Ronaldo was unlucky to be around at the same time as the Argentina star.

However, Ronaldo went on a tirade after helping his team beat Osasuna 5-2 on his return from injury.

'The most searched for player on the Internet is me,' bragged Ronaldo. 'Those that want to appear on front covers [of newspapers] or promote things speak about me.

'What does it matter to me what Xavi says? He plays where? In Qatar or [somewhere], I don't know. He's won everything but he's never won a Ballon d'Or. I have three.'

Messi has won five Ballon d'Ors and is widely considered the best player of all-time, but Ronaldo believes he is worthy of that accolade.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser earlier in the week, Xavi had said: 'Only a fool could have played football and not recognise Cristiano is an elite footballer. But he just has had bad luck to be around at the same time as Leo.'

He added: 'If I were the president of Real Madrid, I would give myself a 10-year contract. Right now I'm not thinking about anything else in my career, all I want is to retire at Real. This is the biggest club in the world and it should have the best players.'

A host of different Real players joined Ronaldo in netting against Osasuna, with Danilo, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Luka Modric all on the scoresheet. 

Oriol Riera pulled one back for Osasuna and Kiko Casilla saved a Roberto Torres penalty, before David Garcia grabbed another and Cayetano Bonnin was sent off.

For large periods Real Madrid were unstoppable as they battered the visitors from northern Spain, racking up their 15th consecutive win in La Liga.