La Liga president Javier Tebas showered praises on Barcelona star Lionel Messi and labelled him as the greatest ever to play in Spain.

Tebas further assured Spanish football fans that the Argentine will stay at the Catalan club for a long time.

“Messi will stay at Barcelona, he is fundamental to them,” Tebas was quoted as saying by Marca.

“He transcends what is normal in football and he is an icon for everyone, it is very important that he is in our league because he is on a level above everyone else – he is the greatest player to ever play in Spain.”

The president also had words of praise for Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho, who he regards two of the best coaches in the world.

“Here we always strive for the best, which is why I have always said that coaches like Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola should return to La Liga.

“They are two world classes coaches who have personalities, they have controversies but also defined styles. That is what our league is about.”