"I have huge respect for him" - When Novak Djokovic opened up on his admiration for Barcelona legend Lionel Messi

Novak Djokovic - who won the 2024 Olympic men's singles tennis gold on Sunday (August 4) - once waxed lyrical of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi. The Argentine is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time.

In his illustrious career spanning two decades, the 37-year-old has scored over 800 goals for club and country and is still going strong. Most of those goals - 672 - came during an illustrious 17-year stint at the Camp Nou between 2004 and 2021, winning big titles and individual accolades galore.

Shortly after La Pulga moved to Inter Miami last summer, Djokovic opened up on his admiration for Messi, saying (as per ESPN MX via Albiceleste Talk):

“It’s a second time we met with each other. We talked 15 minutes about everything. I would like to meet him & talk about everything again. Messi is a phenomenon. He's a huge champion. I have a huge respect for him.”

Less than a year after that interaction, Djokovic joined an exclusive club of five players to win the career Golden Slam - all four Grand Slam titles and the Olympic singles gold - by beating Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. The others are Steffi Graf, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal.

Meanwhile, last month, Messi created history of his own last month, winning a record 45th title for club and country when he captained La Albiceleste to glory at the 2024 Copa America.

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How has Barcelona legend Lionel Messi fared for Inter Miami this year?

Argentina captain Lionel Messi (left)

Lionel Messi has endured an injury-plagued first full season in American football with Inter Miami, whom he joined as a free agent summer after nearly two decades - Barcelona (17) and PSG (2) - in European football.

Nevertheless, the Barcelona legend has still contributed 14 goals and 11 assists in 15 games across competitions. That includes 12 goals and nine assists in 12 outings in MLS - where the Herons are atop the Eastern Conference after 25 games.

Messi has also netted two goals and provided as many assists in three outings in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where the Herons lost 5-2 on aggregate to Monterrey in the quarter-final.