In a recent episode of the Clank! podcast hosted by Argentine journalist Juan Pablo Varsky, Lionel Messi shared his thoughts on Michael Jordan, expressing profound admiration and declaring him the greatest athlete of all time.
Messi highlighted Jordan’s unparalleled impact on sports, stating that Jordan’s influence transcends basketball and extends to the entire sports world. He emphasized that Jordan’s achievements and legacy have set him apart as an extraordinary figure in athletic history.
Reflecting on “The Last Dance,” the documentary series that chronicles Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls, Messi described it as a masterpiece that provided deep insights into Jordan’s personality and career. He admitted that the series brought him closer to understanding Jordan’s greatness and left him in awe of the basketball legend.
Messi lamented not having lived through Jordan’s era in person, expressing his regret that he could not witness Jordan’s dominance firsthand. Despite not being a dedicated basketball follower, Messi acknowledged Jordan’s exceptional abilities and the significant mark he left on the sport and beyond.
The Argentine football star also shared a personal anecdote, mentioning how he has often been asked for photos with fans but has never had the chance to take one with Jordan. He conveyed that meeting Jordan and capturing that moment would be incredibly meaningful to him, given his admiration for the basketball icon.
Messi’s tribute to Jordan highlights the universal respect and admiration Jordan commands from athletes across different sports. Both Messi and Jordan have achieved legendary status in their respective fields, and Messi’s acknowledgment of Jordan’s greatness reinforces the notion that true excellence in sports transcends individual disciplines.
This expression of respect from one of the greatest footballers of all time to one of the greatest basketball players underscores the enduring legacy of Michael Jordan. His impact on sports and popular culture continues to inspire and resonate with athletes and fans worldwide, solidifying his position as a transcendent figure in the history of sports.
How Do Their Resumes Compare?
When comparing the resumes of Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi, we are examining the careers of two of the greatest athletes in their respective sports. Both have achieved legendary status, and their accomplishments set them apart as icons of basketball and soccer.
Michael Jordan is widely recognized as the greatest basketball player of all time. His achievements in the NBA are unparalleled. Jordan is a 6-time NBA champion, and he was named the NBA Finals MVP in all six of those championship runs. He won the regular season MVP award five times and was selected to the All-Star team 14 times, earning three All-Star Game MVP awards.
Jordan’s dominance on both ends of the floor is highlighted by his 10 All-NBA First Team selections and nine NBA All-Defensive First Team honors. He led the league in scoring 10 times, holds the highest career scoring average in NBA history at 30.1 points per game, and an even higher average of 33.4 points per game in the playoffs.
Additionally, Jordan was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1988 and won an NCAA championship with the University of North Carolina in 1982. His perfect 6-0 record in the NBA Finals, without ever needing a Game 7, cements his legacy as the ultimate winner in basketball.
Lionel Messi’s resume might be even more impressive in the realm of soccer. Over his illustrious career, Messi has played in 1065 games, scoring 837 goals and providing 373 assists. He averages a goal every 105 minutes and a goal contribution every 72 minutes, demonstrating his consistent impact on the field.
Messi’s trophy cabinet is overflowing with accolades: he is a 4-time Champions League winner, a 10-time La Liga champion, and has won the Copa del Rey seven times. He has also lifted the Spanish Supercup seven times, the FIFA Club World Cup three times, the UEFA Super Cup three times, and has added two Ligue 1 titles to his collection.
Internationally, Messi has finally captured the elusive FIFA World Cup, along with a Copa America and the Conmebol-UEFA Cup of Champions.
Individually, Messi’s accolades are astounding. He is a record 8-time Ballon d’Or winner, recognizing him as the best player in the world multiple times. He has also won the FIFA World Player of the Year award six times and the European Golden Shoe (given to the top scorer in European leagues) six times.
Messi has been named the best player of the FIFA World Cup twice, further solidifying his status as a global icon. His 2022 World Cup win with Argentina arguably placed him ahead of rivals like Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, and Maradona in the greatest of all-time debates.
While both Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi have incredible resumes filled with team success and individual accolades, their greatness transcends their sports. Jordan’s dominance in basketball and Messi’s supremacy in soccer make them both unparalleled legends, each with a compelling case for being considered the greatest athlete of all time in their respective fields.
Whoever the GOAT of sports may be, one thing is for sure, they have established themselves as the GOATs of their respective sports.