Lionel Messi and Novak Djokovic are athletes with loads in frequent. They each have been on the prime of their respective sports activities, offered followers with loads of unforgettable moments over time and have earned a bunch of particular person awards in consequence.
Messi’s stage is seen by many as the best soccer participant of all time, and tennis star Djokovic has an amazing quantity of respect for the once-in-a-generation expertise. Messi’s inventory elevated even additional in Paris as he was awarded with an eighth males’s Ballon d’Or crown, the celebrated particular person award given annually to the perfect participant on this planet
Forward of the ceremony, the pair shared a heat embrace as they briefly crossed paths on the crimson carpet. It was clear each had been completely happy to see each other, and that is no shock given Djokovic has publicly expressed his admiration for Messi previously.
The pair met shortly after Messi joined Inter Miami final summer time, and Djokovic advised ESPN on the time: “It’s the second time we met with one another. We talked for about quarter-hour about every little thing. I want to meet him and discuss every little thing once more. Messi is phenomenal. He’s an enormous champion. I’ve large respect for him.”
Whereas Djokovic isn’t the one individual to carry Messi in excessive regard, this isn’t the primary time he has proven his respect for Messi. Throughout a world tennis match final 12 months, he spoke about Messi’s influence past the soccer subject.
Djokovic mentioned: “Him being humble, a down-to-earth man, not taken away by success. All these years is one thing I really feel like serves as an incredible instance to all the youngsters that look as much as him. All of them wish to be like him.”
Although the 2 play utterly completely different sports activities, Djokovic is aware of what it takes to be the perfect on this planet and encourage others. Djokovic’s profession accolades embrace 96 ATP tour occasion wins. He’s additionally the one participant to carry all 4 slam singles titles on the identical time.
Just like the 36-year-old star, Messi’s accomplishments go for pages and span nations worldwide. Nonetheless, there are extra than simply eras of dominance that these two share.
They had been born only some months aside and have watched the others rise to success. That has continued to be the case as they nonetheless dazzle crowds on a weekly foundation even because the years add up.
Moreover, Djokovic’s feedback present how a lot of an influence Messi has made. He has impressed greatness for years and created a legacy that may by no means be forgotten. That has, a minimum of to some extent, impacted Djokovic, who will go down as among the best gamers in tennis historical past.
Because the profession of those two winds down, tennis followers and soccer followers must say goodbye to 2 males who’ve defied all expectations and rewritten the report books. No matter the place Messi is enjoying, he’ll at all times have a fan in Djokovic, who impressed greatness in his personal means.
