Barcelona legend Xavi says Leicester City winger Riyad Mahrez is 'good enough' to play for the La Liga giants

The winger won the PFA Player of the Year award as Leicester secured the first top-light title in their 132-year history last season

Riyad Mahrez signed a new contract with Leicester City this summer (Getty)

Barcelona legend Xavi says he is “pleased” Riyad Mahrez decided to stay with Leicester City but also believes the Algerian is good enough to play for the Spanish champions.

Mahrez won the PFA Player of the Year award as Leicester secured the first top-flight title in their 132-year history last season and he reminded supporters of his superior talents with a stunning free-kick during a 6-0 success for Algeria against Lesotho this week.

Mahrez, 25, was linked with a lucrative move away from the King Power Stadium this summer but elected to stay and sign an improved four-year contract with the Premier League champions with reports suggesting Arsenal were among the clubs interested.

Xavi, who lifted eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues during his 18-year spell at the Nou Camp, said: “Mahrez is good enough to play for Barcelona, but I am pleased he decided to stay with Leicester.”

The 36-year-old, now playing for Qatari club Al Sadd SC, added: “He clearly must have had options, but if Leicester had lost their best player after such a big achievement it would have been a shame.

“It will be interesting to see how him and Leicester perform in Europe this season.”

Claudio Ranieri’s side are preparing for their maiden Champions League group stage match against Club Brugge next Wednesday before welcoming Porto to the East Midlands on 27 September with Copenhagen also set to visit the King Power on 18 October.