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Pope Francis Says Barcelona's Lionel Messi 'Is Very Good, but He Isn't God'

Such is Lionel Messi's extraordinary talent with a football that it's common to question whether he's human at all, but Pope Francis has had his say on whether or not the Barcelona talisman is a divine being.

Asked by La Sexta's Jordi Evole (h/t Marca) if it's sacrilegious to describe Messi as God, the Pope said: "In theory, it is sacrilege. You can't say it and I don't believe it. Do you believe it?"

When Evole replied "I do," Pope Francis responded: "I don't [laughs]. People can say he is God, just as they may say 'I adore you' but only God can be worshipped.