Just as the NBA season ended, the FIFA World Cup kicked off and it is captivating fan bases across the globe. Given the timing and the fact that they are both team sports with international appeal, the commentary sometimes overlaps.
On Monday, Lionel Messi made history, prompting some comparisons to NBA legends Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
Skip Bayless Lashes Out About Lionel Messi-LeBron James World Cup Comment
During Argentina’s World Cup victory against Austria, Messi scored a goal in the 38th minute to become the all-time leader in World Cup goals.
“The great ones are just built different, when you think about Michael Jordan, LeBron, or Tom Brady, they’re just built for these moments, and they’re waiting for it,” Fox analyst Owen Hargreaves said, comparing Messi to other NBA GOATs.
On paper, comparing James and Messi seems accurate. James is the leading scorer in NBA history and widely regarded as one of the best players in league history. However, Skip Bayless, who is one of James’ biggest detractors, hated the Messi-James comparison.
Commentator just ruined the moment by comparing Messi with Michael Jordan AND LEBRON. So naive. So wrong. So blasphemous. MJ, yes. LBJ … NO.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 22, 2026
“Commentator just ruined the moment by comparing Messi with Michael Jordan AND LEBRON. So naive. So wrong. So blasphemous. MJ, yes. LBJ … NO,” Bayless wrote on X.
Taking the opportunity to shade James is nothing new to Bayless, who made a career off of hot takes during his days on “First Take” and other shows. Bayless, who now works for Underdog Sports, returned to ESPN for a “First Take” reunion last month.
Over the years, Bayless has questioned James’ toughness, clutch play, and general place in NBA history. Meanwhile, all James has ever done is play the most regular-season games in NBA history (1,622), make 22 All-Star games, win four NBA MVPs and four NBA Finals MVPs, and score the most points in league history (43,440).
Messi, considered one of the best soccer players in the sport’s history, is leading Argentina through the early rounds of the World Cup. Hargreaves, the announcer who drew Bayless’ criticism, is a soccer lifer who enjoyed stints at Manchester United and Bayern Munich before transitioning to broadcasting.
Having endured Bayless’ insults for over two decades, James goes about his business, whether it’s basketball, philanthropy, or business. It’s not a surprise that Bayless has even found a way to turn his World Cup commentary into an anti-James narrative.
