Lionel Messi honors Stephen Curry as Golden State Warriors celebrate football legend proudly holding No 30 jersey

Football legend Lionel Messi has expressed his deep admiration for NBA superstar Stephen Curry, calling him one of the all-time greats. Messi, who also respects LeBron James, highlighted Curry's profound understanding of the game and his unique way of elevating basketball. This mutual respect between the two sporting icons continues to inspire fans globally.

Lionel Messi honors Stephen Curry. Image via: Getty Images

Golden State Warriors fans got a special treat recently as football icon Lionel Messi expressed his admiration for NBA superstar Stephen Curry. The team wasted no time to celebrate the moment with fans as the official social media shared the popular picture of Messi holding the Warriors’ No. 30 jersey with a beaming smile. Messi, currently starring for Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer, called Curry one of the all-time greats across sports, joining a list of legendary athletes he respects.

Is Lionel Messi a fan of Stephen Curry? Football legend praises Warriors star

During an interview with NBC News’ Tom Llamas, Lionel Messi reflected on athletes who inspire him beyond football. He said, “From basketball, LeBron and Steph [Curry], they’re players I’ve admired a lot and I think they’ve read the game deeply and each of them elevates their sport in their own way.” Messi, who led Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and recently captured the MLS Golden Boot with 29 goals this season, has long admired athletes who push their respective sports forward. He also highlighted Michael Jordan, fellow Argentine Diego Maradona, and tennis icons Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. “Competing for so long to be the best and being so close to each other made everything much more incredible,” Messi explained. The connection between Curry and Messi goes beyond mutual admiration. After Curry won his first NBA title and unanimous MVP in 2015, Messi publicly thanked him on social media after receiving a signed No. 30 jersey, celebrating Curry’s impact and achievements alongside his own. Curry has reciprocated the respect, telling Mundo Deportivo, “Messi? Greatness inspires greatness in many different ways. There’s nothing specific you can apply from football to basketball. But it’s the longevity, the creativity, his impact on sports and on the world.”

Lionel Messi’s continued excellence highlights his admiration for Stephen Curry

At 38 years old, Messi continues to dominate in MLS, leading Inter Miami CF into the playoffs as the top seed in the Eastern Conference. His ability to maintain elite performance late in his career draws natural parallels to Curry, who remains a transformative force in basketball at 37, and LeBron James at 40. The Warriors’ social media also celebrated the moment, posting photos of Messi holding Curry’s jersey while smiling widely. Messi’s admiration underscores the universal language of sports excellence and the mutual respect that connects legends across disciplines. Also Read: "He called me crying": Stephen Curry's wife Ayesha Curry opens up about a heartbreaking moment in their lives amid her recent controversial remarks

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