Pope Francis agrees that fellow Argentinian and soccer star Lionel Messi has heavenly ability on the pitch, but he is not not going to refer to him as "God."

But he understands why some fans call him that.

"You can't say it and I don't believe it. I think people say 'he is God' just as they say 'I adore you," Pope Francis told the Spanish TV La Sexta's show "Salvados." "You have to adore only God. It's expressions that people use. This is a god with the ball on the pitch. It's a popular way that people have of expressing themselves. Of course it is a joy [to watch Messi play]. But he is not God."

Pope Francis said in theory it would be sacrilegious to call Messi "God."

Messi has netted 31 goals and set-up 12 in 27 league games and has netted 16 goals in 12 Champions League games to help Barcelona reach the quarterfinals.

Pope Francis, the first Pope from Latin America, is an avid soccer fan. The head of the Catholic Church roots for the Saints of San Lorenzo in Buenos Aires. He has a collection of soccer jerseys that fans have thrown at him at events. He and Messi met in 2013 when a group of soccer fans visited the Vatican.