Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has revealed who he considers the greatest footballer of all time while also naming some of the top athletes he admires from other sports.
In a recent interview with NBC Sports (via All About Argentina), the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner paid tribute to late Argentine legend Diego Maradona, describing him as the ultimate icon of football and a national treasure who inspired generations.
“For us, Maradona was the greatest idol and a source of admiration for everything he represented,” Messi said. “Even though I was very young and didn’t see much of him play live, Diego transcended everything. He wasn’t just about football – he was about passion, spirit, and what it means to be Argentine.”
Messi went on to draw parallels between Maradona’s impact on football and Michael Jordan’s influence on basketball, noting that both men changed their respective sports forever.
“Speaking of another sport, I think it was the same with Jordan,” Messi explained. “He inspired people far beyond the court. What he did for basketball is similar to what Diego did for us in football.”
The World Cup winner also expressed deep admiration for three tennis greats – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic — praising their discipline, rivalry, and longevity at the top level of the sport.
“I also admire tennis players like Federer, Rafa, and Djokovic,” he added. “They’ve pushed each other for years, always staying at the highest level. That kind of consistency and mentality is something I really respect.”
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