Messi’s acknowledgment of Jordan’s greatness reinforces the notion that true excellence in sports transcends individual disciplines.

Lionel Messi and Michael Jordan

Lionel Messi recently expressed his admiration for Michael Jordan on the Clank! podcast, calling him the greatest athlete of all time. Messi praised Jordan’s impact on sports, saying it transcends basketball and extends to the entire sports world.

Messi credited the documentary series “The Last Dance” with deepening his understanding of Jordan’s greatness. He described the series as a “masterpiece” that provided insight into Jordan’s personality and career. Lionel Messi lamented not having lived through Jordan’s era in person, saying he would have loved to witness Jordan’s dominance firsthand.

It seems to me, in terms of sports, he’s the greatest there is... But after having seen his series and getting to know a bit more about him, you know, “The Last Dance”, it just blows your mind, it’s a masterpiece, it’s impressive...

Lionel Messi said to Juan Pablo on the Clank! Podcast

Despite not being a dedicated basketball fan, Messi acknowledged Jordan’s exceptional abilities and the significant mark he left on the sport. He also shared a personal anecdote about never having had the chance to take a photo with Jordan, something he said would be incredibly meaningful to him.

Honestly, I don’t know much about basketball either, nor am I a big follower, but I think he was something different in all sports, not just in basketball. And well, I have a huge admiration for him. And since so many people have asked me for photos, I couldn’t get one with him, it would be something nice.

Lionel Messi added

Messi’s tribute to Michael Jordan highlights the universal respect and admiration Jordan commands from athletes across different sports. Both Messi and Jordan have achieved legendary status

in their respective fields, and Messi’s acknowledgment of Jordan’s greatness reinforces the notion that true excellence in sports transcends individual disciplines.

Tracy McGrady blasts fans for disrespecting Michael Jordan’s legacy

Tracy McGrady defended Michael Jordan’s legacy against fans who downplayed his achievements by claiming the competition he faced was weak. McGrady, who played in the 90s and 2000s, insisted that Jordan’s dominance was unparalleled, regardless of the era. He argued that Jordan’s physical attributes, skills, and work ethic made him a transcendent player who would have excelled in any generation.

Get the f**k out of here. That's gotta be like these Gen Z people saying that. There's no way in hell you saw Michael Jordan play. Stop talking about who he played against, please, we gotta stop that. 'Oh he was out there playing with plumbers'. The guy is not built like LeBron playing against these guys, Michael Jordan is 6'6, 210, and dominating.

Tracy McGrady said on his podcast

McGrady dismissed the notion that Jordan only succeeded because of inferior competition, pointing out that Jordan’s statistics and accolades (10 scoring titles, 5 MVPs, 6 Finals MVPs) demonstrate his superiority over his peers. He emphasized that Jordan’s greatness is a testament to his own abilities, not a reflection of the era he played in.