The FC Barcelona and Argentina national team soccer player is a divinely-skilled forward who spreads his wings to glide past opposition defenders with gravity-defying manoeuvres, before duping a goalkeeper and scoring heavenly goals.
But, regardless, he's still not God is he?
When Salvados TV presenter Jordi Evole asked the pope whether comparing Messi to God is sacrilegious, he replied: "In theory, it's sacrilege you can't say it," as translated by Business Insider editor Ruqayyah Moynihan.
Pope Francis went on: "I don't believe it do you?"
When Evole said he did, the pope finished: "I don't."
Watch the exchange below:
"'He is a God with the ball on the field' is a popular way for someone to express themselves."
Pope Francis concluded by remarking that Messi is "very good," but "he isn't God."
The pope and Messi have met once before, when a number of soccer players enjoyed a private audience at the Vatican ahead of an Argentina vs. Italy international match in August 2013.
The pope was reportedly asked at the time whether he had given a blessing for the Argentina team, a question he "gracefully dodged," according to USA Today .
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