According to Time magazine, Messi is 1/100 of the most influential celebrities in the list in the Titan category (the list has 5 other categories: artist, pioneer, icon, leader and innovator).
Alongside Messi, Mbappe is another world football star to be honoured in the innovator category. The other three sportspeople are Iga Swiatek (tennis), Mikaela Shiffrin (skiing) and Patrick Mahomes (football).
Messi in the top 100 most influential people in the world
However, Messi is honored and evaluated by a very special and influential name in sports, the champion with 20 Grand Slam titles, Roger Federer.
Not mentioning the titles and records, Roger Federer commented on Messi: “What stands out to me about Messi, a 35-year-old player, is his greatness over the years. This is very difficult to achieve and maintain. He dribbles like a magician and his angled passes are works of art. His perception and judgment are almost beyond comprehension.”
Federer also admitted that athletes are under a lot of pressure in life. Messi is the same, and that pressure is even greater when representing a famous team, a country passionate about football. When Argentina won the World Cup, everyone took to the streets to celebrate, and at that moment, even people who don't follow football realized the impact of the world's most popular sport.
“Growing up, Diego Maradona and Gabriel Batistuta were my favorite Argentinian players. I was lucky enough to meet both of them. They inspired me. Now Messi can inspire future generations,” Federer said of the people who made him love football.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion also hopes to see Messi play professionally for longer. On the other hand, Federer also reminded: "Don't blink too often when Messi is on the court. You might miss something incredible from this man."
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