La Liga President Tebas Rues Manner Of Messi Exit From Barcelona

Messi ended a 21-year association with Barcelona last month after the Catalan giants failed to put a suitable financial package together to retain the six-time Ballon d’or winner.

The 34-year-old has since joined Paris Saint Germain on a two-year deal.

Tebas has admitted that given the contributions Messi made to the Spanish game, it is a shame how his departure was handled.

Tebas told Sport: "Just like when Cristiano Ronaldo, Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho left. We knew that one day this would happen.

"We have had the great luck of having the two best footballers in the world in the two best teams in the world and from La Liga we have been able to take advantage of this to put ourselves on the world front line.

"Perhaps Messi's departure has been a bit more painful, because personally I consider him the best in history, and he didn't deserve to leave like that, not only for Barça but for La Liga as well."

Messi made 778 appearances for Barcelona after making his debut in 2003 and is the club’s all-time top scorer with 672 goals. He won 35 trophies with the club including four UEFA Champions League trophies and 10 La Liga titles.