Novak Djokovic, the world’s top tennis player, took center stage at the prestigious Ballon d’Or 2023 ceremony in Paris as a special invitee to present Women’s Ballon d’Or to Spain’s Aitana Bonmati. In a speech that left the audience in awe, Djokovic shared a hidden dilemma that sent the audience into laughter.
Djokovic, surrounded by soccer elites, including Lionel Messi, who was named the best male soccer player in the world, gave a brief speech. He expressed his gratitude for the organizers’ invitation and reflected on the privilege of being among the best athletes in the world. Djokovic highlighted that the sport he grew up with was football. He candidly admitted, “My father was a professional footballer, so I played a little too.”
.@DjokerNole is here with us, to give the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or!#ballondor pic.twitter.com/XIfrysKL4N
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@ballondor) October 30, 2023
What truly captivated the audience was Djokovic’s disclosure of a pivotal moment in his life. He reminisced that he was in a dilemma on what to choose and revealed that he didn’t follow the footsteps of his father, “I think I was nine or ten when I decided whether I would play football or tennis. I chose tennis, I don’t know if it was a good decision, but I think it is.” His words evoked laughter among those present.
Concluding his speech, Djokovic reaffirmed his unwavering love for soccer, stating, “Of course, I still follow football every day, and I am a big fan.” Djokovic’s candid confession shed light on the inner struggles of a sporting icon who opted for tennis over football, earning worldwide admiration for his extraordinary journey.
Novak Djokovic shares a warm hug with Ballon d’Or 2023 winner Lionel Messi
In a heartwarming encounter, Novak Djokovic, the legendary tennis player, and Lionel Messi, the soccer maestro, shared a warm embrace at the Ballon d’Or 2023 ceremony. The meeting between these two sporting icons brought an unexpected touch of camaraderie to the event, transcending the boundaries of their respective sports.
The Ballon d’Or 2023 ceremony witnessed a unique moment as Novak Djokovic and Lionel Messi, giants in the worlds of tennis and soccer, came together in a warm hug. This interaction added a heartening twist to the evening for the sports aficionados.
Leo Messi with Djokovic #BallonDor pic.twitter.com/L7o2BuVcBI
— Leo Messi 🔟 Fan Club (@WeAreMessi) October 30, 2023
Djokovic, who had traveled to the French capital for the Paris Masters, had the honor of presenting the women’s Ballon d’Or trophy to Aitana Bonmati. Djokovic’s passion for soccer is no secret. He attended the FIFA World Cup final in Qatar, where Messi’s Argentina triumphed over France.
Djokovic has openly expressed his admiration for Messi in the past, referring to him as a “phenomenon” and a “huge champion.” The camaraderie between these two iconic athletes is a testament to the universal appeal of sports and the mutual respect shared among marquee athletes across sporting disciplines.