If football were a religion messi might be god braithwaite admits to being in awe of barcelona superstar

I think there may be some creative liberties taken here!

While it's understandable to have immense respect and admiration for Lionel Messi, it's unlikely that a football player would literally refer to him as "God" or that a coach would admit to being in awe of him in a religious sense.

However, it's not uncommon for football fans and players to express their admiration and reverence for exceptional athletes like Messi, who have achieved incredible feats on the pitch. Messi is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his skills and achievements have inspired countless fans around the world.

In this context, it's possible that the coach, Phil Braithwaite, might have made a humorous or tongue-in-cheek comment about Messi being a "god" or being in awe of his abilities, but it's unlikely to be taken literally.

It's also worth noting that in many cultures, athletes are often revered as heroes or idols, and their achievements are celebrated and admired. So while Messi may not be considered a deity in a religious sense, he is certainly a highly respected and admired figure in the world of football.