The report says Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semifinals after overcoming Felix Auger-Aliassime in a marathon contest. His next challenge is Jannik Sinner, with a place in the final at stake.
The comparison with Messi is not simply about age. Djokovic has adapted his tennis around anticipation, positioning and mental endurance. Messi’s evolution has followed a similar path, with the Argentine increasingly able to control matches through timing, vision and decisive touches rather than constant bursts of speed.
Djokovic had already cited Messi and LeBron James while discussing athletes who continue to redefine longevity.
“Eu adoro ver a grandeza sendo construída e a continuidade dessa evolução da grandeza, como Messi, como LeBron James. É incrível ver,” he said.
That admiration carries particular weight because Djokovic and Messi emerged as global stars in the same era. Their careers have taken different routes, but each has repeatedly responded to the pressure of being the central figure for a nation, a generation and a worldwide audience.
“Messi nasceu no mesmo ano em que eu nasci, 87. Foi um bom ano para nascer,” Djokovic added.
For football, the wider lesson is clear: sustained greatness is rarely about remaining unchanged. It is about finding new ways to dominate as circumstances, opponents and physical demands shift.
The next storyline is whether Djokovic can turn this Wimbledon run into another final, while Messi’s next chapter with Argentina will test whether his influence remains decisive on the biggest stage.