‘Messi is good, but he isn’t God’

LONDON. - Lionel Messi may produce heavenly performances, but Pope Francis called for calm in comparing the forward to God.

That is a moniker that has been bestowed upon the Argentine at times, but his compatriot wasn’t so enthusiastic about the comparison.

He was interviewed by Jordi Evole in La Sexta and the conversation is detailed below.

Jordi Evole: You know when both. Is it sacrilege to say the Messi is God? Pope Francis: In theory, it is sacrilege. You can’t say it and I don’t believe it. Do you believe it? Jordi Evole: I do.

Pope Francis: I don’t [laughs]. People can say he is God, just as they may say ‘I adore you’ but only God can be worshipped. Those are expressions from people.‘This is a God with the ball on the field’is a popular way for someone to express themselves. Jordi Evole: But he plays well doesn’t he? Pope Francis: Of course, he is very good, but he isn’t God.

Messi’s double in the 2-0 derby victory over Espanyol took his LaLiga tally to 31 goals for the season, while he has also created 12 in 27 league games for the table toppers.

He has also contributed six goals in 12 Champions League appearances to help Barca reach the quarter finals, while also helping his side progress to the Copa del Rey final. Incredibly, Messi is also the first player in the history of football to score at least 40 goals in 10 consecutive seasons.

So far he has found the net 41 times in 39 games across all competitions - including a 51st career hattrick - but he still has some way off to repeat his finest goalscoring feat.

Messi needs 32 goals if he is to equal his best goal haul for a single season, after scoring an incredible 73 times in 60 games during the 2011/12 campaign.

As things stand, he is well ahead his rivals in the race for the Golden Shoe, with four more goals to his name than nearest challenger Kylian Mbappe currently on 27 goals for the season.