Argentine tennis star and former world no. 8, Diego Schwartzman has been a fan of Lionel Messi for a long time, with both hailing from the same country. Diego is often seen in the stands during Messi’s matches, cheering for the soccer star and he was at times caught chatting with him, too.
Schwartzman revealed that his first meeting with Messi was a few years ago, when he found that Messi had in fact, watched his match against Nadal at Roland Garros. The tennis star went on to state, “The first time I met him, it was before the World Cup in Russia in 2018”, during a conversation at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown.
Diego Schwartzman x Leo Messi
What is he saying to him?pic.twitter.com/g8kzQUp5Zu
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) July 26, 2023
Schwartzman continued that, after he lost to Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros, he was on a flight from Barcelona when he met the Argentinians who were on their preparations for the World Cup. He went to Lionel Messi to have a chat and the first thing he uttered was “How lucky was Rafa with the rain! “
⚽️🎾🇦🇷 Diego Schwartzman on first meeting Lionel Messi, and how Messi called Rafael Nadal ‘lucky’:
“The first time I met him, it was before the World Cup in Russia in 2018. I lost to Rafa in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros and I was a set and break up. And after that date, I… pic.twitter.com/xZsvK4JaJQ
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) October 26, 2023
Diego recalled, “Because I was a set and break ahead, and the rain stopped the match. I was leading 6-4, 3-1, and break point to lead 4-1.” That halt due to rain proved to be a blessing in disguise for the “King of Clay”, as he won the match, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 when play resumed the following day.
The Argentine tennis star has the utmost respect for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner and even if he meets him, he doesn’t want to say much. It is just as if to say, “Okay, Hello Leo!” and his mind doesn’t let him ask for anything more than that, and is happy with the fact that the soccer legend knows who he is.
Unlike Lionel Messi Rafael Nadal had a different take on him
However, Nadal has high opinions of Lionel Messi and even sided with the Argentinian when it came to picking the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) between Messi and Ronaldo. Although Messi was able to win the FIFA World Cup 2022 for his country, the Portuguese forward’s goal-scoring prowess is right up there with the best.
When Nadal was asked to give his take on the topic, he replied, “Messi is better, but I’m a Real Madrid fan,” in a video that got circulated on social media. Rafa also endorsed Messi to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, even though his name was also among the nominees.
Rafa Nadal: “Messi or Ronaldo? Messi is better, but I’m a Real Madrid fan.”🗣️🇪🇸
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) July 23, 2023
The Spaniard wrote, “An honor to be nominated again for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year. But… this year… let’s go, Messi, you deserve it.” This was because the soccer star led his country to a World Cup win in Qatar and even won the Golden Ball award for the best player of the tournament, in the process.
Messi who eventually went on to win the award wrote, “That such a great sportsman like you thinks of me like that leaves me speechless…” Thanking Nadal, Lionel complimented him back saying that he too rightly deserves the accolades for being a fierce competitor, when he is on the court. He then stated that all the nominations equally deserve to get the award, and that is the truth.