Lionel Messi was one of the many sporting legends to pay tribute to Roger Federer on his retirement in 2022.
Roger Federer decided to move away from the sport he played for more than two decades after struggling with injury for a long time. His impending retirement from professional tennis came at the 2022 Laver Cup.
The 20-time Grand Slam winner played his last match at the 2021 Wimbledon Open before he bid farewell to tennis by playing a doubles match alongside Rafael Nadal in the Laver Cup. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have played the sport.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner posted on Instagram to pay tribute on his retirement. He posted a photo of Federer at the Wimbledon Open and captioned:
A genius, unique in the history of tennis and an example for any athlete. All the best in your new stage, we will miss seeing you on the court making us enjoy.
– Lionel Messi on Instagram
Lionel Messi is the footballing equivalent of Roger Federer, and people believe that they are the GOAT of their respective sports. Lionel Messi led Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar.
Roger Federer had a heartfelt message for Lionel Messi after he made it to the TIME’s 100 Most Influential People
Lionel Messi made it to the 100 Most Influential People by TIME magazine and received a heartfelt message from Roger Federer.
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 to maintain. He dribbles like a magician, and his angular passes are works of art. His awareness and anticipation are almost beyond comprehension.
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. 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.
– Roger Federer wrote (via The Times)
