Lionel Messi: La Liga is more competitive than ever

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At least for Lionel Messi, La Liga is handling life after Cristiano Ronaldo quite well.

The 33-year-old Portuguese superstar's departure from Spain has obviously left a gaping hole, but his archrival Messi insisted the Spanish league is more open and entertaining.

The Barcelona captain bagged a brace in the Catalan giants' shock home loss to Real Betis on Sunday and saw their lead at the top of the table cut to one point. Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, Alaves and Espanyol are all, in theory, harboring title hopes, while a lackluster Real Madrid are only four points behind the league leaders.

"It's good that the league is more competitive than ever, nothing is easy, anyone can beat anyone and it's good for the spectators. I hope it continues like that for a long time," said Messi, who picked up his fifth Pichichi prize for his 34 goals at the Marca awards on Monday.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner returned to action against Betis after fracturing his arm in Barcelona's 4-2 win over Sevilla last month.

La Liga president Javier Tebas (R) gives Lionel Messi the Alfredo Di Stefano trophy for the 2017-18 best player of the Spanish Liga on November 12. /VCG Photo

"At the beginning, I was a bit scared, because I hadn't had much contact," admitted Messi as he also collected the Alfredo Di Stefano trophy for the division's best player last season.

"But as the game went on, I let go a little more and I was fine," he added.

La Liga president Javier Tebas, who awarded the trophy to Messi at the ceremony, hailed the Barcelona No. 10's incredible achievement in Spain.

"No one has brought more to La Liga than him and if he finishes his career in Spain, or most of it, I don't believe anyone has contributed more to the competition," said Tebas.

"And yes, the fact Cristiano Ronaldo has gone to Serie A means he's even more important."