Tebas: "It wasn't a battle with Messi. LaLiga is worth more than any player or club"

LaLiga president Javier Teba has given an interview to Italian newspaper 'Il Corriere della Sera' about the league's stance when it came to Lionel Messi's contract. "It wasn't my battle with Messi. I would have done the same if it had been Pepito Perez or any other player in our league. As a league we must defend the rules and promote justice: they must respect the contracts. Always. Whether you're called Messi or Pepito Perez."

Tebas doesn't feel like he's the 'winner' of his clash with Barça's captain. "No, absolutely not. I personally don't see it as a battle with Messi and his team. I've got a special appreciation for Leo, I love him, and the history he's created in our football over the last 20 years. How could I be at war with him? I repeat, my intervention was only so that contracts were respected. But it's clear that with Leo being involved, the media turned it into a giant story."

According to Tebas, the 700 million euros buyout clause is still valid. "Although his lawyers say the opposite, the contract is clear. In the end, I'm happy Messi will avoid a legal battle. He'll continue playing for the club of his dreams. I hope their relationship goes back to normal."

COULD MESSI LEAVE NEXT SUMMER?

"That will be his decision," Tebas confirmed. "The contact allow that to happen." LaLiga has lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in recent years, Luis Suarez looks set to depart soon, and Messi would be another major name to find a new home away from Spain. "Our strategy is the digitalization and internationalization that we started four years ago."

When quizzed if Tebas could himself make a move to Italy, he didn't rule it out. "Italy is a great country and Serie A has a lot of room for growth, although Spain and LaLiga is a big pull. You can never say never."