Messi sees Nadal as a model of resilience in adversity

Football superstar Lionel Messi has drawn parallels between his own career and that of tennis icon Rafael Nadal, particularly highlighting their shared capacity for resilience amidst challenges. Messi views Nadal as a model for enduring adversity, a quality he strives to emulate in his own pursuit of excellence.

"I like to play football, it's my passion since I was little and when I'm well I give my maximum," Messi told reporters after Argentina's World Cup 2026 debut, where he scored a hat-trick. "We are watching Rafa Nadal's series and I identify a lot with him. I think we are very similar in that sense, that I always want to give my maximum, I always want to feel good and I enjoy it that way."

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, responded to Messi's comments via social media, congratulating the footballer on his World Cup start. The docuseries "Rafa" on Netflix delves into the human side of the tennis legend, exploring his battles with injuries, pain, weariness, and doubts, and how he achieved success despite moments of suffering.

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I like to play football, it's my passion since I was little and when I'm well I give my maximum. We are watching Rafa Nadal's series and I identify a lot with him. I think we are very similar in that sense, that I always want to give my maximum, I always want to feel good and I enjoy it that way.

Messi himself experienced a visibly emotional moment after scoring his first goal against Algeria, shedding tears. He later explained that the tears stemmed from "a matter totally unrelated to sports. I went through a few difficult, complicated days, but I am grateful to the entire delegation, to all the teammates who were by my side as always, giving me a lot of strength to be well," he stated without elaborating.

Messi's family later clarified in a statement that his father, Jorge Messi, was "going through a health situation" but was "under medical supervision, recovering and evolving favorably." This personal context adds another layer to Messi's emotional display, underscoring the pressures he navigates both on and off the pitch.

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It is a matter totally unrelated to sports. I went through a few difficult, complicated days, but I am grateful to the entire delegation, to all the teammates who were by my side as always, giving me a lot of strength to be well.