"Messi not GOD" - Pope Francis

Pope Francis said he (Messi) is thrilled when he watches Lionel Messi playing football but is not god as some of his fans have tagged him.

Pope Francis, the Messi's Compatriot, explained this after Barcelona No. 10 side defeat Espanyol 2-0 in the La Liga league where he scored the two goals of the match

When asked if it was a sacrilege to call Messi "God", breaking the third commandment by using the name of the Lord in vain, Pope Francis told the Spanish TV program La Sexta: "Salvados":

"Theoretically it is a sacrilege.

"You can not say it and I do not believe it. I think individuals state 'he is god' similarly as it's been said 'I love you'. You simply need to adore God only. These are articulations that individuals use.. This is a god with the ball in the field of play. It is a popular way people can express themselves. Of course it is a pleasure to see the game of Messi. But he is not God."