Messi, Djokovic, and Brady meet at epic FIFA event ahead of 2026 World Cup final
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Soccer stars Lionel Messi and Novak Djokovic, along with NFL legend Tom Brady, met at a FIFA event in New York before the 2026 World Cup final.
- The event featured interviews with various sports personalities, including Kevin Durant, Rio Ferdinand, and comedian Kevin Hart.
- Messi fielded questions about his drive for success and an iconic photo, while other World Cup finalists also participated in the discussions.
An extraordinary gathering took place in New York as football icon Lionel Messi, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, and American football superstar Tom Brady converged for a FIFA-organized event. The meeting occurred prior to the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup Final, offering fans a glimpse of these sporting titans interacting.
The event saw a star-studded lineup of interviewers, including Djokovic himself, seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady, NBA star Kevin Durant, former footballer Rio Ferdinand, comedian Kevin Hart, and rapper Travis Scott. Messi, accompanied by goalkeeper Emiliano Martรญnez, coach Lionel Scaloni, and fellow finalists Rodri Hernรกndez and Luis de la Fuente, faced questions from these distinguished personalities.
No, it wasn't a dream. It was real and some fans were able to enjoy that epic encounter between Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic and Tom Brady, in an event organized by FIFA, prior to the Final of the 2026 World Cup.
Djokovic reportedly inquired about Messi's enduring hunger for top-tier competition, while Brady asked about a memorable photograph featuring Messi bathing a baby. The other protagonists of the 2026 World Cup Final also engaged in the discussions. However, Lionel Messi undeniably captured the most attention, with roaring crowds reacting enthusiastically to his every word, often eliciting laughter.
The article also notes that Argentina and Spain are preparing for the World Cup final on July 19th at MetLife Stadium, home of the NFL's Giants. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and former U.S. President Donald Trump have praised the 2026 World Cup as a success that united the world.
Nole questioned the Argentine star about the hunger to remain at the top of the competition, while Brady asked him about the iconic photo in which he appears bathing a baby Lamine Yamal.
Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.