Pope Francis has come out to say that his Argentinian compatriot, Lionel Messi is not “God” but he can relate when people talk about him like he is.
Lionel Messi has netted 31 goals and assisted 12 more in 27 league games for Barcelona this season.
He has scored 16 in 12 Champions League appearances to help Barca reach the quarterfinals and also helped his side progress to the Copa del Rey final.
When Pope Francis was asked if it was sin to refer to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as “God,” since it went against the 3rd commandment by using the lord’s name in vain, Pope Francis said, “In theory it’s a sacrilege.
“You can’t say it and I don’t believe it. I think people say ‘he is God’ just as they say ‘I adore you.’ You have to adore only God. It’s expressions that people use. This is a god with the ball on the pitch. It’s a popular way that people have of expressing themselves. Of course it is a joy [to watch Messi play]. But he is not God.”
Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires, and he is the head of the Catholic church and he is also a football fan and club member of Argentinian side San Lorenzo.
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