From one No. 1 to another No. 1: Djokovic praised and greeted Messi

Paris dresses up for a sports festival. And it is not because of the Rugby World Cup final that took place over the weekend or because of the start of the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000, the penultimate stop on the circuit before the ATP Finals. This Monday the reflectors in the City of Light are on awarding of the Ballon d’Orwhere Lionel Messi arrive with his family straight from Miami to win his eighth award. And on his way down the red carpet, Ten met Novak Djokovicwith whom he embraced in a strong and cordial hug.

It was a greeting from a No. 1 in football to a No. 1 in tennis. And taking advantage of the fact that he will only have to present it next Wednesday, Nole went to the Theater du Chatelet to experience a magical event. One that everyone wants to attend and in which the biggest stars in the world are surrounded. Now, the Serbian, 24-time Grand Slam champion (three of them this year), not only stopped an interview with the streamer Ibai to greet the Rosario player, but had previously not spared any praise to describe him.

“It is incredible and very special to be here. For me it is a privilege to be able to watch all the greatest players in the world of football. Everyone expects another award for Messi, who had an extraordinary career,” he said in a talk with ESPN. Furthermore, he added in perfect Spanish: “I think Messi is going to win, although there are also Mbappe and Haaland, who had a great season. But Messi is at another level“.

Djokovic and Messi eat at the same table. One in which there is only access for the greatest in history. Both in their sports proved to be the best or, failing that, to be part of the small group fighting for that title (despite the fact that neither of them is interested in being called that). And the one born in Belgrade analyzed the similarities that unite him with the current Inter Miami forward.

“We have many similar things. Although tennis and soccer are different, they are similar in the mental part, in recovery. And Messi is the greatest in history in the champion’s mentality and how to take advantage of moments of great pressure, to give your best game when the appointment is important. We met in New York, when I played the US Open and I saw that he and his family are very normal people. He is a legend in general,” said Nole, who will debut on Wednesday in Paris-Bercy against the winner of the duel between Tomás Etcheverry and Miomir Kecmanovic.