LaLiga president says league is 'ready' for Lionel Messi departure

Messi's future at Barcelona has been in doubt since he handed a formal transfer request during the the latest transfer window, and the 33-year-old is widely expected to leave the club, either during the January window or upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the campaign. 

LaLiga president Tebas has now weighed in on the situation, and revealed his belief that the league would cope with the Argentine's departure, just as it had done with the respective transfers of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar over the past three years. 

9- Philippe Coutinho (FC Barcelona) – £240 000-a-week

8- Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid) – £256 000-a-week

7- Koke (Atletico Madrid) – £270 000-a-week

6) Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid) – £280 000-a-week

5) Antoine Griezmann (FC Barcelona) – £322 000-a-week

4) Frenkie de Jong (FC Barcelona) – £336 000-a-week

3) Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid) – £350 000-a-week

2) Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) – £400 000-a-week

1) Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) – £580 000-a-week

Over the past few months, Manchester City have emerged as the frontrunners to land the six-time Ballon d'Or winner's signature, but Tebas has slammed the Premier League contenders' controversial source of financing.

"It seems the only club in the Premier League that talks about registering Messi is Manchester City, who compete outside the rules. I'm not the only one saying this. I am not too worried about them. I have criticised what they do so many times. Doing it one more time makes no difference," he added.

"City is neither affected by COVID nor pandemics or anything because they are financed differently and it is impossible to fight against that."