How Lionel Messi reacted when Roger Federer announced his retirement from tennis

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Roger Federer is recognised as one of the greatest players in the history of tennis.

In 2022, the Swiss Maestro called time on his 24-year career, triggering an outpouring of emotion from his fans and peers.

Federer retired from tennis having won 103 ATP Tour titles in total – including 20 Grand Slam singles titles.

He also led Switzerland to their first ever Davis Cup triumph in 2014.

Lionel Messi, a World Cup champion and quite possibly the greatest footballer in history, posted on social media following Federer’s retirement in 2022.

Lionel Messi called Roger Federer a ‘genius’

On social media, Messi reacted to the stunning news of Federer’s planned retirement, calling the Swiss legend an ‘example for any athlete.’

In an Instagram post, Messi said: “A genius, unique in the history of tennis and an example for any athlete.

“All the best in your new stage, we will miss seeing you on the court making us enjoy.”

Roger Federer contested his last professional match at the 2022 Laver Cup while playing alongside his great rival, Rafael Nadal.

Federer and Nadal lost to Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 7-6, 11-9. Team World went on to defeat Team Europe, winning the competition for the first time in history.

Nadal retired from the sport two years later, playing his last match in the 2024 Davis Cup Finals.

Nadal retired having won 22 Grand Slam titles, two Olympics gold medals and five Davis Cup titles.

Roger Federer’s final post-match speech at the 2022 Laver Cup

After playing his final match alongside Nadal, Federer reflected on his ‘wonderful day.’

“It has been a wonderful day. I told the guys, ‘I’m happy. I’m not sad.’ So, it feels great to be here,” Federer told former US Open champion Jim Courier, as reported by Olympics.com.

“I enjoyed tying my shoes one more time and everything was the last time. Funny enough with all the matches and having the guys and being here among fans, family, friends… I didn’t feel the stress so much even though I did think something was going to go wrong – pop a calf or block a back or something in the match.

“I am so happy I made it through and the match was great. I couldn’t be happier. It’s been wonderful. [crowd cheers].

“And of course, playing with Rafael Nadal on the same team and having the guys, everybody here, all the legends – Rocket [Laver], Stefan Edberg, thank you!”

Federer will forever be remembered as one of the greatest – and most graceful – players to ever step foot on a tennis court.

The Swiss star first became a household name after stunning 14-time Grand Slam champion Pete Sampras at the 2001 Wimbledon Championships.

From there he went on to become one of the three greatest male players in history – all while making sure to entertain fans across the globe.

In 2022, Nadal reflected on Federer’s retirement ahead of an exhibition match in Argentina.

The pair, who contested one of the greatest matches in tennis history in the 2008 Wimbledon final, played each other 40 times on the ATP Tour and became good friends.

Nadal said: “There are many experiences together, important moments shared in our lives as rivals and team-mates,” Nadal told the press ahead of an exhibition match in Argentina. “People have feelings and understand this sport for what it is, a sport.

“When you have a rival like Federer, throughout your career – because when I started Roger was already there, it’s true I played more matches with Novak than with Roger, but I started it with him [Federer].

“Due to our contrasting styles and personalities, due to affinity, in some way we have shared so much. Someone I have admired, who I have rivalled and also I have shared many beautiful things on and off the court was leaving.

“In that sense, all those moments, those feelings you have before playing a final of a Grand Slam, of an important tournament, everything that was in the air before those matches. It was different from other matches.

“You know you’re not going to live that again and a part of my life left with him [when he retired]. It was also the emotion of saying goodbye to someone who has been so important to our sport.”