The midfielder believes there has been no better player for the national team than his Barcelona team-mate and insists La Roja still have a bright future
Xavi is the best Spain player of all time, according to team-mate Sergio Busquets.
The midfielder has been a pivotal part of the dominant Spain and Barcelona sides over the course of the last decade, winning a host of domestic, continental and world titles, including the World Cup, two European Championships, three Champions Leagues and two Club World Cups.
The 35-year-old, who is reportedly close to a move to Al-Sadd, retired from international football after Spain's elimination from the group stages of the 2014 World Cup and Busquets says his absence in the team can be felt.
"Truth to be told, yes, it does feel very strange to be in the Spain set-up without Xavi," he told Pelayo. "Ever since I broke through for Barca and Spain he's always been around. We've always had a great relationship and he's always set an example in every way, when it comes to camaraderie, how much help he's given me and, above all, in footballing terms.
"In my book, he's the best Spanish player of all time."
Xabi Alonso and Carles Puyol have also brought an end to their Spain careers, but Busquets believes the team still have a bright future, despite some unconvincing recent performances.
"There are some great players from a good generation, and here's hoping it all comes together so that we can win trophies again and get back to the top," he said.
The 26-year-old is currently wearing the No.5 jersey for Barcelona, having taken the shirt from Puyol, and he revealed that it was the former defender who told him to select it.
"I got on really well with Puyol and we had a chat in which he told me he'd like me to wear his number. It was flattering for me to hear that from someone like Puyol, considering his qualities both as a person and as a player."
