Javier Tebas: Messi Is The Greatest Ever In Football
Spanish LaLiga president Javier Tebas believes Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the best player in the history of football.
Messi recently won the FIFA Men’s Best Player of the Year for the first time after it was split from Ballon d'Or and re-branded in 2016 as he saw off competition from regular competitor Cristiano Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.
With the football environment always debating on who is the greatest ever in the sport between Messi, Ronaldo, Pele and Diego Maradona, Tebas has also added his voice to the on-going disputation as he stressed the Argentine playmaker is "the best player in history".
"He's the best player in history," Tebas said of Messi, who was substituted at half-time of Tuesday's 2-1 win over Villarreal due to an adductor problem. "We're lucky to have him in LaLiga.
"I cannot imagine a league without Messi. He was born in the Spanish league and I hope he ends [his career] here.
Tebas also discussed the unfruitful move of Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar, who was close to re-joining his former side Barcelona.
"I would have liked Neymar to return to LaLiga," Tebas added. "And, as [Vicente] Del Bosque would say, to return with good behaviour!
"How can I not like that a player of that level is in LaLiga? Just as I would like [former Barca boss Pep] Guardiola or [ex-Real Madrid head coach Jose] Mourinho to train some Spanish soccer team.
"We have to aspire to have the best. I hope that one day Neymar plays in a Spanish club."
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had a splendid spell with Barcelona last term as he won Europe’s top goalscorer and also helped the Blaugrana retain the LaLiga title.
