Gratacos in 2010: "In Africa there are a lot of Leo Messis"

FC Barcelona representative Pere Gratacos caused consternation among Barcelona fans with a comment about Leo Messi at the Copa del Rey draw, but it's not the first time he's done that.

Gratacos had Messi working under him in the youth squad for two years and it was he who recommended to Rijkaard that he take him to work with the first team. 

However in 2010 he gave an interview to La Vanguardia where he came up with a bizarre statement.

"In Africa there are many Messis," he said. "I coached Messi for two years and later I saw these players and i can say there are many who have a similar level."

He later said Messi became as good because he trained at La Masia, while these talents could not grow footballistically because they had no competition.