Tebas ‘wanted Rooney & Ribery’

LFP President Javier Tebas has admitted that he would like to have seen Wayne Rooney and Franck Ribery play in La Liga.

In a candid interview with AS on Monday, where he also confessed his support for Real Madrid, the 53-year-old also touched on David de Gea one day returning to Spain, his League’s international pull, Lionel Messi’s participation in the Clasico on Saturday and rumours Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Los Blancos.

“I’d like to have seen Rooney play in Spain,” he told AS.

“I’d like to have seen a Premier League icon play in our League, but there’s also Ribery.

“[David] de Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and I wish he played in our League, regardless of who for.

“[On Neymar and James Rodriguez’s role in raising La Liga’s profile in Latin America], definitely.

“In light of how quickly they’ve adapted to a new environment, they’ve been a boost for the League.

“[Gareth Bale] has also been a big pull. He’s a star of the highest level and having a big impact on Wales.

“In addition, Madrid have helped Bale to have more of an international presence.

“Of course [I’d like to see Lionel Messi play in the Clasico].

“As the League President and a fan, I wouldn’t like to see my team beat a weakened team. It’d be bad news.

“[On Ronaldo possibly leaving], Ronaldo and Messi have been supposed to leave at least twice in recent years.

“Ronaldo and Messi leaving La Liga is as likely as Catalan independence – impossible.”

Tags Bayern Munich Clasico Cristiano Ronaldo Franck Ribery Gareth Bale James Rodriguez Javier Tebas Lionel Messi Manchester United Neymar Wayne Rooney
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