​Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is marveling at Lionel Messi’s achievements at 39 while playing for Argentina. Next season, Miami will host two of the world’s top athletes in their respective sports, as Messi returns to Inter Miami after a remarkable World Cup run, with Argentina poised for a final against Spain. Messi is set to be joined by former two-time NBA MVP and 2021 champion Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has admitted to being in awe of the soccer icon with whom he shares a city.
In his introductory press conference as a member of the Miami Heat, Giannis spoke about Messi’s greatness following Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 comeback semifinal victory over England. “We witnessed greatness. Messi might go down as one of the best athletes of all time… He’s up there with legends like Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, and Usain Bolt. When you see that, you can’t help but feel inspired.” He added, “The respect he earns from his teammates is earned. That’s the blueprint. LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi—these are the figures who set the standard, and you’ve just got to follow it.”
Antetokounmpo has long been a football enthusiast, having watched Messi’s career unfold on the world’s biggest stages. While acknowledging other generational talents in various sports, he highlighted what Messi is achieving at 39 during the 2026 World Cup, calling it unprecedented in football. Messi’s leadership has been a source of motivation not only for his teammates, who are known to shed tears and play with renewed passion for him, but also for elite athletes in other disciplines who view his example as a benchmark for what a true leader can extract from a group.
Messi has already tallied eight goals and four assists in the 2026 tournament, a record-setting pace in both scoring and playmaking. No outfield player in international football has approached this level of elite production, and Messi could further cement his legacy with one more victory against Spain in the final. The story continues to unfold as fans and fellow athletes alike watch to see if Messi can cap his career with another gold-filled chapter.