Lionel Messi hails Jordan, LeBron, and Curry as basketball’s icons of greatness

Lionel Messi, the Barcelona legend and current Inter Miami superstar, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time. His extraordinary career, marked by a record eight Ballon d’Or awards, has cemented his place in sporting history.

At 38 years old, Messi continues to defy age and expectations, still showcasing his brilliance in club football. Despite having achieved virtually every accolade the game offers, his motivation remains rooted in his pure love for football.

For Argentina, Messi has transcended mere icon status. After leading the Albiceleste to their first FIFA World Cup title in 36 years at Qatar 2022, he now stands shoulder to shoulder with the late Diego Maradona as one of the nation’s immortal heroes. His influence extends far beyond the pitch, inspiring generations of fans and aspiring athletes worldwide.

Aqui é papo de GIGANTE!🗣️

Lionel Messi é muito fã do LeBron e do Curry!🤝 #AspasNBA pic.twitter.com/suerg6cCoe

— NBA Brasil (@NBABrasil) October 30, 2025

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Recently, the Argentine legend sat down for an interview with CBS in Miami, where he shared his thoughts on the global appeal of basketball in the United States and the athletes he admires most from other sports. In doing so, he added another name to the ongoing basketball GOAT conversation alongside Michael Jordan and LeBron James—none other than Golden State Warriors icon Stephen Curry.

“When it comes to other sports, I think the same thing happened with Michael Jordan,” Messi said. “I really admire tennis players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, and I think all three made the competition much bigger than it was before.”

He continued: “Competing for so long to be the best and being so close to each other made it all much more fantastic. I don’t know, I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot of athletes, but to highlight a few from basketball—LeBron James, Stephen Curry, the best. They are players I admire a lot and I think they’ve given so much to the sport, each in their own way.”

While the basketball GOAT debate continues to divide fans—between Jordan’s dominance, LeBron’s longevity, and Curry’s revolutionary style—Messi’s comments reflect the respect shared among the world’s elite athletes. Each, in their own way, has redefined greatness and inspired millions across generations.

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