‘Bernabeu applaud Messi? Why not?’

Javier Tebas can see no reason why Real Madrid fans wouldn’t applaud Lionel Messi if he sets a new goal record at Santiago Bernabeu.

Messi is approaching the all-time Primera scoring record of 251, held by Telmo Zarra, and could surpass it next week, when Barcelona travel to Madrid.

LFP President Tebas was asked during the Copa del Rey draw if he could imagine the Madrid faithful commending Messi for his accomplishments and drew a comparison with the past to suggest he could.

“I’ve been in the same stadium when the people were cheering Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho,” he recalled, Marca reports.

“I think the Spanish people know and value the importance of Messi to our League.

“Real Madrid fans understand football and have always been a very gentlemanly crowd.

“They applauded those two great stars, so why not Messi?

“Messi deserves a tribute in every game. If he doesn’t break the record there it will be at another stadium. But he should have a tribute everywhere.”

Tags Javier Tebas Lionel Messi
La Liga - Club News