Lionel Messi and Rafael Nadal are two of the greatest sporting icons of the 21st century. Given their stature, any admiration or inspiration shared between the two carries added weight.
Over the years, both icons have publicly backed and praised each other on numerous occasions. In 2023, Nadal notably backed Messi for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award despite being nominated for the honor himself.
Meanwhile, after scoring a hat-trick in Argentina’s opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Messi cited the tennis legend as a career inspiration.
Fans React as Lionel Messi Reveals Admiration for Rafael Nadal
Playing in his sixth FIFA World Cup, Messi continues to dominate proceedings and kicked off Argentina’s campaign with a stunning hat-trick against Algeria on Tuesday. Afterward, the 38-year-old expressed his admiration for Nadal.
“We are currently watching the Rafa Nadal series, and I think we’re very similar in the sense that I always want to give my best. I always want to feel good, and I enjoy it that way. And well, as long as I can and I’m well enough to do it,” Messi said in Spanish after the game (via Google Translate).
🗣️”Me identifico mucho con @RafaelNadal “, Leo Messi, capitán de @Argentina se acordó de la leyenda del tenis mundial tras su primera exhibición en el #MundialRTVE
📺Superresumen de3️⃣0️⃣minutos del 🇦🇷🆚🇩🇿del grupo J del #MundialRTVE, a las 13:30h. en Teledeporte y RTVE Play pic.twitter.com/6KzFjykVlN
— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) June 17, 2026
Messi’s comments quickly went viral on social media, and fans reacted with their appreciation for the two sporting legends. One fan commented that both Messi and Nadal have overcome obstacles to reach this far in their careers.
“The comparison with Nadal is a good one. Both fought through natural obstacles to achieve greatness. Messi and Nadal’s genetics could have stopped them from becoming great sportsmen, but they refused to throw in the towel and ultimately shook hands with immortality,” they wrote.
Another fan made a witty comment, giving Messi and Nadal the “Greatest of All Time” title. “Messi watching Nadal documentaries like the GOATs are scouting each other,” they wrote.
A third user noted how Nadal and Messi have both managed to overcome the high expectations placed on them. “The similarity isn’t talent. It’s that both spent 20 years handling expectations that would’ve crushed most athletes,” they wrote.
Another fan commented on the special nature of Messi’s comparison. “When Messi says they’re similar, you know the comparison is special,” they wrote.
One user commented on how both Nadal and Messi did all their talking on the court/pitch. “Messi and Nadal never needed to be the loudest in the room. Their performances definitely did the talking,” they wrote.
Nadal, who retired in 2024, opened up in his recent Netflix documentary series about the perseverance and hard work it took for him to continue competing at the top despite a string of injuries throughout his career.
“Despite everything that has happened in my career, all the times I’ve been out of action, all the times it seemed like my career was over, I’ve always kept the will to fight. I never thought I’d be trying to play tennis at the age of 37. I know I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Not even to myself. But I can’t help it. This is my seal. That’s who I am,” he said.
A 22-time Grand Slam champion, Nadal is also a big soccer fan and cheers for Real Madrid. Messi, who spent much of his career with Real Madrid’s arch-rivals Barcelona, is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2022 World Cup champion.
