La Liga president Javier Tebas has refused to rule out the possibility of naming an award after Lionel Messi.
The 56-year-old said that the creation of such an award could happen once the Barcelona ace decides to hang up his boots from professional football.
"We will have to think about it," he said (via the Independent).
"I believe that Messi will be the greatest player of all time, even if he isn't already.
"Messi has been playing since he was a kid and always at the absolute top, top level and he never wavers.
"It would be a good idea to create a trophy in the future for the best player of that season that has Messi's name on it."
Advert
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has not played for Barcelona since he picked up an injury against Sevilla earlier this month.
Recently, SPORTbible readers voted Messi as the best sportsman of all time ahead of Muhammad Ali, Roger Federer and Michael Jordan.
Former Barcelona star Gary Lineker told Barça TV (via Soccer Laduma) that the 31-year-old Argentine forward is the "best player to ever put on a pair of boots."
He added: "It's as if he sees the game from afar, at the same time as he is playing.
Advert
"He is not human.
"He never rises to provocation, and he is a great example to both the world of football and to every young person who plays the sport."
Advert
Should La Liga name an award after Messi when he retires?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, La Liga
