In sports, the concept of “iron sharpens iron” holds true. Lionel Messi recently highlighted this idea, praising several top athletes including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal.
In an interview with NBC News, Messi shared his admiration for fellow athletes, expressing his wish to recognize all his inspirations.
“I admire tennis players like Federer, Rafa, and Djokovic,” Messi told NBC News’ Tom Llamas. “The three of them made competition much bigger than it used to be. Competing closely for so long has made everything extraordinary.
“I’m certainly forgetting many athletes, but to highlight a few, I’d choose them. From basketball, LeBron and Steph Curry are players I truly admire for their deep understanding of the game and their unique contributions to their sport.”
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2025.
No one like Diego
Messi also reflected on the legacy of Diego Armando Maradona, comparing him to Michael Jordan. Although Messi was young during Maradona’s later years, he recognized the Argentine icon’s lasting impact.
“For us [Argentinians], Maradona was the greatest idol and someone we deeply admire for what he achieved. Even though I didn’t see much of him play, Diego transcended sports. This mirrors what [Michael] Jordan was to basketball,” he said.
Sealing the deal
After a 3-1 win over Nashville SC in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs First Round, Messi and Inter Miami need just one more victory to advance to the Second Round. Their next match will take place in Music City, where fans at GEODIS Park hope to see a deciding game back in Fort Lauderdale.