One of Spanish football's top figures is 'ready' for Lionel Messi to leave and doesn't think him moving on will make much difference to La Liga

• La Liga president Javier Tebas says he is "ready" for Lionel Messi to leave Spain and believes the Argentine's departure won't make much difference to the division.
• Messi attempted to force a move away from FC Barcelona in the summer, however backed down after the club refused to sanction his release.
• However, he is free to leave the Camp Nou next summer.
• "We would prefer Messi to stay in La Liga but Ronaldo and Neymar left and we have not noticed any difference," Tebas said. "We are ready."

La Liga president Javier Tebas says he is "ready" for Lionel Messi to leave Spain and believes the Argentine's departure won't make much difference to the division.

Messi attempted to force a move away from FC Barcelona in the summer by handing in a transfer request, however backed down after the club refused to sanction his release.

The 33-year-old is free to leave the Camp Nou next summer with his contract expiring at the end of June.

"We would prefer Messi to stay in La Liga but Ronaldo and Neymar left and we have not noticed any difference," Tebas said. "We are ready."

Tebas also went on to criticize Manchester City, who he believes is the only club capable of landing Messi's signature.

"It seems the only club in Premier League that talks about registering Messi is Manchester City, who compete outside the rules. I am not the only one saying this."

City was hit with a $34 million fine and handed a two-year ban from European soccer back in February after being found guilty of "serious breaches" of financial fair play regulations.

The ban was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in June, though a reduced fine was still imposed.

"I am not too worried about them," Tebas added.

"I have criticized what they do so many times. Doing it one more time makes no difference. City is neither affected by COVID, or pandemics, or anything because they are financed differently and it is impossible to fight against that."

Messi has scored six goals and assisted a further four in 10 games for struggling Barcelona this season, with the Catalan club currently sitting in eighth in La Liga.

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