Roger Federer pens beautiful tribute to Lionel Messi, calls him a 'magician'

In a heartfelt tribute to one of football’s greatest icons, tennis legend Roger Federer called Lionel Messi’s game a work of art.

Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, is arguably one of the best football players in the game’s history. After his triumph last year, Messi was named in TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People Of 2023.

Writing on Messi’s achievements in the awards announcement list, tennis maestro Roger Federer was all-praises for the Argentine superstar.

He wrote, ‘Lionel Messi’s goal-scoring records and championship wins need no recounting here. What stands out to me about Messi, 35, is his consistent greatness over so many years. This is so difficult to achieve, and then maintain.

A graceful player himself, Federer compared Messi’s football skills to that of a magician adding that his knowledge of football is almost beyond comprehension.

‘He dribbles like a magician, and his angular passes are works of art. His awareness and anticipation are almost beyond comprehension,’ Federer wrote.

‘My career has just come to an end. I now realize how much weight we athletes carry. But in our daily lives, we don’t even realize it,’ continues Federer, who himself bid an emotional farewell to a glittering 24-year-long career in September last year.

‘For a football player like Messi, that weight likely feels more massive, as he represents both a world-renowned club and a very passionate country,’ he continued.

From one sporting icon to another, Federer then went on to express his wish to continue witnessing 35-year-old Messi’s magic on the football field for a little while longer, ‘I can only hope we get to see his unique creativity and artistry for a little bit longer. Don’t blink too often as Messi performs on the pitch. You may miss something incredible from the man of the moment.’

For now, Lionel Messi’s career hangs in a balance as his contract with the French club Paris-Saint Germain nears its end with speculation rife that Messi will return to his old club at Camp Nou.