Lionel Messi’s greatness and credibility had never been doubted, but people never quite put him in the same league as Diego Maradona or Pele because he was yet to win a World Cup. Last year’s triumph sealed his position as perhaps the greatest player the world has ever seen, and it came at a perfect time in the life of the boy from Rosario.
It’s been a year since Lionel Messi became a World Champion, and to celebrate this anniversary, the former Barcelona star sent a special gift to Rafael Nadal, who ironically has a collection of souvenirs from Messi’s biggest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo due to his love for Real Madrid.
Messi sends a special gift to Nadal
As an icon himself, Lionel Messi has never denied the opportunity to give any successful athlete their flowers, even when they’re fans of Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s the anniversary week of Lionel Messi’s World Cup triumph in Qatar last year, thanks to Randal Kolo-Muani’s miss, and he made sure to send a special gift to Rafael Nada’s museum.
Messi had an inscription that read, “For Rafa, with much love and admiration,” and the tennis legend acknowledged the big gift through his museum’s social media page.
“One year after winning the World Cup, Rafael Nadal has received this special t-shirt from Lionel Messi. We already have it on display at the Rafa Nadal Museum. Let’s go,” his official museum page read.
The tennis legend is one of the most popular athletes in the world, thanks to his exploits in tennis. The legendary tennis player has won a total of 22 Grand Slam titles while also boasting a record of 14 French Open titles.
He has an academy headquartered in Manacor, Spain, where he helps train young talents in the game to help bring out the best in them.
Messi celebrates World Cup win anniversary
Lionel Messi’s Argentina beat France in the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, etching his name into the history books as one of the greatest soccer players ever. For most of his career, Messi lived in the shadow of Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986.
Maradona, who led Argentina to World Cup glory in 1986. The constant comparisons and heavy expectations weighed on Messi, leading to frustrations in different forms, such as [provide specific examples like media scrutiny, fan pressure, etc.]. This pressure even pushed him to prematurely retire from international football, but his subsequent comeback resulted in a triumphant Copa America victory in 2021
Messi headed into the 2022 World Cup in Qatar knowing it could be his last, so he needed to give it everything, and boy did he!
After losing to Saudi Arabia in their tournament opening game, Messi and Co. went on a run that saw them beat the likes of the Netherlands, Croatia, and France to lift the trophy for the first time since 1986.
Messi’s World Cup triumph has paved the way for more individual awards, with the Argentine claiming the 2023 Ballon d’Or and TIME’s Athlete of the Year.
Can Messi make the next World Cup in 2026?
