Tebas: I want Messi in LaLiga like I want Ronaldo, Mourinho, Guardiola and Klopp

LaLiga president Javier Tebas said he wants Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi in Spain, just like he wants Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp in the league.

Messi’s future remains an important topic at embattled LaLiga giants Barca after he handed in a transfer request following a tumultuous 2019-20 season.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner was tipped to join Premier League powerhouse Manchester City before opting to remain in Spain, though he has since been linked to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and Inter.

Tebas was asked about Messi’s future, and he played down the impact of the Argentina skipper’s possible exit.

This Thursday was a day of ‘individualised compensatory training’ on pitch 2 at the Ciutat Esportiva. pic.twitter.com/aL09ZkwEfa

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 26, 2020

“I want Messi in LaLiga, just as I want [Tottenham head coach] Mourinho, [City manager] Guardiola, [Liverpool boss] Klopp, [Juventus superstar] Cristiano…,” Tebas said at the World Football Summit. “They all help you grow.

“It’s not essential. They’re not as important as people say. Neymar left. It’s necessary to have a strategy, a player can help you, but it’s not essential.

“We’ve got the deals done for the next four seasons in nearly all territories. It can affect sponsorships somewhat, but we’ve really worked hard on the league’s brand and we wouldn’t notice it.

“I hope that Messi, who’s the best player ever, finished his career here.”

Messi has spent his entire senior career at Camp Nou, where he emerged from Barca’s youth team in 2004.

Since debuting, Messi has become Barca’s all-time leading scorer and won a club-record 34 trophies, including 10 LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns.

In 2020-21, Messi has scored three goals in eight LaLiga matches for 13th-placed Barca, who are 12 points adrift of leaders Real Sociedad.

Messi has six goals across all competitions as Ronald Koeman’s Barca struggle this season.