Lionel Messi, the football superstar who recently led his team to victory in the World Cup, has been recognized as one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2023. In celebration of Messi’s remarkable career, retired tennis champion Roger Federer has written a tribute to him in the prize announcement list.
In the tribute, Federer praised Messi’s consistent greatness throughout his career, noting that his skills on the field are like works of art. Federer also acknowledged the weight that Messi carries as a representative of both his club and his country, and the impact that football has around the world.
As a former huge fan of Argentine stars Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta, Federer expressed his hope that Messi will continue to inspire future generations. He also wished for Messi to be able to continue playing for some time so that fans can witness more of his unique creativity and artistry on the pitch.
Federer’s tribute to Messi is a testament to the impact that athletes can have on the world and the admiration that one sports legend can have for another. He also expressed his admiration for Argentina’s World Cup victory and hoped that Messi would inspire future generations.