Federer reaches out to Messi after ‘historic’ Argentina World Cup win

Argentina fans celebrate Lionel Messi goal in World Cup final

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Roger Federer sent a fitting message to Lionel Messi as his fellow sporting icon ‘redefined greatness’ in leading Argentina to the most remarkable World Cup win. Messi scored twice and netted in the penalty shootout against France in perhaps the greatest World Cup final ever played.

Federer is seen by many as the greatest to grace the tennis court – regardless of his Grand Slam count being inferior to his great rivals Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

And Messi could have been considered the greatest footballer to walk the planet long before Sunday’s extraordinary drama at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar. 

But the manner in which he inspired Argentina to the one trophy that has eluded him for so long has banished all doubt on a day of destiny where he emulated his hero Diego Maradona to inspire his country to glory. The sport’s greatest player finally has his hands on its greatest honour.

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And Federer, who retired this year with 20 Grand Slams and his legacy firmly cemented as arguably the most gifted tennis player to ever hold a racquet, recognised another sporting ‘GOAT’ with a touching tribute on social media on Sunday.

“Fairytale stuff Argentina!” Federer’s Instagram tribute read.“Time and time again you @leomessi have redefined greatness. It’s a privilege to watch you. Congrats Leo & [Argentina]. Special and historic.”

Messi has nothing left to achieve after his World Cup journey ended with one of the greatest sporting stories ever told. He stepped up, like he so often has on the big occasion to seal his place right on top of the list in football’s pantheon of greats.

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But Messi has no interest in following Federer into retirement just yet and the Swiss tennis great will be treated to the 35-year-old’s genius for a little while longer. “No, I’m not going to retire from the national team,” Messi said when asked about his future.

“I want to keep playing as World Cup champions with Argentina shirt. It’s crazy that it happened this way. I knew God was going to give it to me, I had a feeling it was going to be like this.

“Now I’m going to enjoy. It was long awaited but here it is. Look how this cup is it, it’s beautiful. We can’t wait to be in Argentina to see how crazy it’s going to be.”

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