Argentina superstar Lionel Messi names his seven sporting icons across football, basketball and tennis
Published 28/10/2025 at 13:46 GMT
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Lionel Messi has named his seven icons across football, basketball and tennis, including Diego Maradona, LeBron James and Roger Federer. The Argentina, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain legend made the comments after extending his contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami until 2028. Messi may be in the twilight of his career, but he has scored 29 league goals this MLS season.
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Lionel Messi has revealed the sporting stars that have inspired him, highlighting some of the greatest footballers, basketball players, and tennis stars of all time.
The Argentinian icon signed a new contract with Major League Soccer side Inter Miami last week, which will see him remain at the club until 2028.
Messi is regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time, but he is in the twilight of his career at the age of 38.
He named seven stars after being asked who he felt was the greatest athlete of all time during an interview with NBC, including Argentina’s footballing hero Diego Maradona and NBA legend Michael Jordan.
More basketball players in LeBron James and Steph Curry also made the list, as did three of tennis’ fabled ‘Big Four’.
"For us Argentinians, Maradona was always our greatest idol and greatest admiration — for everything he meant to us," the forward told NBC.
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"I was little and saw him play live. Diego transcended everything. When it comes to other sports... Obviously, I think the same thing happened with [Michael] Jordan.
"I really admire tennis players like [Roger] Federer, Rafa [Nadal], and [Novak] Djokovic, and I think all three of them made the competition much bigger than it was before.
"Competing for so long to be the best and being so close to each other made it all much more fantastic.
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"I don't know, I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of athletes, but to highlight a few, I think I'd go with those. To name a few from basketball, LeBron, Steph, the best.
"The players that I admire a lot, and I think they gave a lot to the sport, each in their own way. So, well, there are several names."
Messi’s Inter Miami side are currently competing in the MLS Cup play-offs after finishing third in the league.
Messi scored twice as they beat Nashville SC 3-1 in the first leg of their three-match first-round clash.
Despite his age, Messi still finished as the top scorer in MLS this year, scoring 29 goals in 28 league games.
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