For Barcelona fans, Lionel Messi is ‘D10S’, a combination of the Spanish word for “God” – “dios” – with the No 10 on his shirt. But Pope Francis begs to differ
Interviewed by Spanish TV channel La Sexta on Sunday, the pope praised his Argentine compatriot Messi, but said he must not be called God.
“In theory, it is sacrilege,” explained the leader of the Catholic Church. “You can’t do it.
“People could call him God, just as they might say ‘I adore you’, but only God can be worshipped.
“(Saying) ‘He’s a god with the ball on the pitch’ is a popular way to express yourself. He’s great to watch – but he’s not God.”
Pope Francis is known to be a football fan, and he is also a club member of Buenos Aires side San Lorenzo.
Two goals from Messi gave Barcelona victory in the Catalan derby over Espanyol on Sunday, taking the La Liga leaders another step closer to the title.
Messi is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, with five Balon D’Or and five European Golden Shoe awards to his name.
He has spent his entire professional career at Barcelona, where he has won nine Liga and six Copa del Rey titles and four UEFA Champions League cups. However, he is yet to play in a World Cup-winning side for his native Argentina.
Pope Francis, born, Jorge Mario Bergoglio is an Argentine and first Pope from outside Europe since the Gregory III who reigned in the 8th century.
Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March. He chose Francis as his papal name in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi.
