Spain's icon Xavi Hernández on Wednesday named Egyptian football great Mohamed Abou-Treika as the best Arab player ever.

"Mohamed Abou-Treika is the best Arab footballer in my point of view," Xavi told the official website of his Qatari club Al Sadd SC in a lengthy interview following his recent move to Doha from Barcelona.

The hugely popular football figure, Abou-Treika, 36, hung up his boots in late 2013 after leading Egypt’s most successful club Ahly to a host of domestic and continental trophies to earn a cult status among their faithful. He was also instrumental in helping Egypt win two African Cup of Nations titles in 2006 and 2008.

"Abou-Treika is an outstanding player, so is former Broussia Dortmund player Mohamed Zidan," Xavi added, referring to another Egyptian footballer who is currently out of job.

Zidan, 33, is reportedly in talks with Ismaily to join the club coached by former Zamalek, Ajax and Tottenham striker Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam.

The former Mainz and Dortmund striker had been struggling with injuries even before moving to Bani Yas in 2012 and hasn't played a single competitive game for almost two years now. He terminated his contract with the the Emirati side early 2013.

"I watched the duo play with the Egyptian national team back in 2009 [when he was at Barcelona] in the FIFA Confederations Cup and they delivered a more than perfect performance," the 35-year-old midfielder Xavi explained.

Xavi, who led Spain to their maiden World Cup title in 2010, was a long time star for La Liga giants Barcelona from 1997 to 2015 in which he made 505 appearances, scoring 58 goals. He won a host of trophies including eight La Liga titles, four UEFA Champions Leagues and two club World Cups among several others.

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