La Liga would survive without Lionel Messi claims the league's chief as the Barcelona star is urged to think twice about leaving.
The Argentine expressed a desire to quit the Spanish giants in the summer before opting to stay for a further 12 months.
Messi's exit is still very much on the cards but La Liga president Javier Tebas is not concerned about the knock on affects for the Spanish top flight.
Instead he has cautioned the 33-year-old against seeking a major pay packet having built up such an impressive reputation at the Nou Camp.
“It wouldn't be a drama. Cristiano Ronaldo left, Neymar left,” Tebas told AFP .
“Neymar went to PSG and I haven't seen the French league reaching a super level because of him.
“That's the reality. People who think the players are the ones who define a competition are wrong and I'm glad they think that way because they won't grow.”
Messi is the competition's all time top goalscorer and won it on ten occasions with the Catalans.
“We've been lucky to enjoy him for so many years," Tebas continued. "But Messi should think very carefully about what he does next.
“If Messi left Barcelona, that reputation he has now and that has worked so well for him would be very damaged.
“It's true he could get a better offer financially but the reputation he has after more than 20 years, I think he has to hold onto that.”
Messi has clashed with the Barcelona hierarchy over the past 12 months with several of his team-mates hitting out at their treatment of the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.
A host of Europe's top clubs have been linked with the Argentine amid suggestions of a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
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