Roger Federer, one of the best tennis players of history, praised the figure and impact of Lionel Messi in a special profile for the magazine Timewhich this Thursday included the Argentine star in its list of the 100 most influential people of 2023.
“Lionel Messi’s goalscoring and league-winning records need not be counted here,” the former Swiss tennis player began by writing.
“What strikes me about Messi, aged 35, is his constant greatness for so many years. That is very difficult to achieve and then maintain,” he commented.
Federer, who ended his extraordinary career at the age of 41 last September, was the personality chosen by the New York magazine to portray Messi and explain the reasons why the Argentine was included in its annual list.
“My career has just come to an end. Now I realize the weight we athletes carry. But in our daily lives we don’t even realize it”, he said. “For a footballer like Messi, that weight probably seems heavier as he represents a world-renowned team and a very passionate country.”
After describing how Messi “dribbles like a magician and his angular passes are works of art”, the former world number one addresses the impact of the Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“Argentina’s victory at the World Cup was magnificent. Millions of fanatics took to the streets of Buenos Aires to celebrate an incredible moment in the sport, witnessed all over the world”, he said. “Even those who don’t follow football must have realized the true impact of the most popular game in the world.”
“What stands out to me about Lionel Messi is his consistent greatness over so many years,” writes @rogerfederer #TIME100 https://t.co/Pm55d2tnRR
— TIME (@TIME) April 13, 2023
“Man of the Moment”
As a child, Federer played football as a striker, but at the age of 12 he chose to focus on tennis, a sport in which he enjoyed one of the most glorious careers in history, lifting 20 Grand Slam trophies.
“When I was growing up, Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta were my favorite Argentine players. I was lucky to know them both. They inspired me. Now Messi can inspire future generations”, he recalled.
“I just hope we get to see his unique creativity and artistry for a little while longer,” Federer said before ending his message with a thank you to the 35-year-old striker. Paris Saint Germain.
“Don’t blink too often while Messi is on the field, you could miss something incredible from the man of the moment,” he warned. “Thanks, Leo.”
Source: Gazetaesportiva
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
