Messi Reveals His Soccer GOAT Pick: The Legend Who 'Transcended Everything'
Lionel Messi was recently prompted to name who he believes are the greatest athletes in history, and staying true to his Argentine roots, he couldn't respond without mentioning soccer icon Diego Armando Maradona.
The Inter Miami superstar spoke with NBC ahead of the MLS Cup playoffs. Messi grinned when the interviewer acknowledged him as a GOAT, then went on to heap praise on Maradona, bestowing upon him the title of greatest ever.
"Clearly for us Argentines, [Diego] Maradona has always been our biggest idol and source of greatest respect for all that he represented to us," Messi stated.
"Despite being young and only witnessing him play in person a handful of times, Diego surpassed all boundaries."
Messi came into the world nearly exactly one year following Maradona's leadership of Argentina to World Cup victory in 1986. "El Diego's" achievements with La Albiceleste elevated him to nearly divine status in Argentina.
Throughout much of Messi's professional journey, he bore the weight of equaling Maradona's accomplishments. Only after guiding Argentina to capture its third World Cup in 2022—the nation's first since '86—was he finally able to step out from Maradona's shadow in his homeland.
However, Messi didn't limit his response exclusively to soccer. The Miami striker also discussed other athletes from various sports whom he believes deserve greatest of all time recognition.
The Seven Athletes Lionel Messi Revealed Worthy of GOAT Status
GOAT things. 😏
Messi x @KingJames pic.twitter.com/HBtkucee4w
Beyond Maradona, Messi concentrated especially on some of the finest tennis and NBA competitors.
"Regarding other sports, clearly I believe the same occurred with [Michael] Jordan [drawing parallels to how Maradona transcended everything]," Messi explained.
"I truly respect tennis champions like [Roger] Federer, [Rafael] Nadal and [Novak] Djokovic. I believe all three elevated the sport far beyond what it was previously.
"I'm certain I'm overlooking many athletes, but to spotlight a few, I'd mention them. To cite some from basketball, LeBron [James], Steph [Curry] are competitors I respect tremendously. I believe they contributed enormously to their respective sport."