The legendary tennis player who Carlos Alcaraz said was most like Lionel Messi

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Carlos Alcaraz once named the tennis player who most reminded him of football great Lionel Messi.

World number one tennis player Alcaraz is a huge football fan and supporter of Spanish club Real Madrid.

This was shown when Alcaraz reacted to Spain’s World Cup draw for the 2026 tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Alcaraz also recently hit with football legend Ronaldo in Miami, the city where Messi now plays for Inter Miami.

Carlos Alcaraz said Roger Federer was the most like Lionel Messi

Messi is regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, with the Argentinian winning the prestigious Ballon d’Or award eight times, which is more than any other player in history.

Alcaraz was asked about the Argentinian when competing at the ATP 250 tournament in Buenos Aires in 2023, and which tennis player he thought was the most like Messi.

The Spaniard answered by naming Roger Federer, speaking about the natural talent that the Swiss has like Messi.

Alcaraz said in his press conference in Buenos Aires, “Roger, because of the talent he has and the ease with which he plays.”

Despite appreciating the talent of Barcelona legend, Alcaraz did not name Messi as one of his top five footballers of all time two years later.

What Roger Federer realised after Lionel Messi won the World Cup

Messi sent a heartfelt message to Federer after he retired from tennis in 2022, and the kind words were returned back after he helped Argentina win the World Cup for the first time.

After Messi was named in Time’s Most 100 Most Influential People list in 2023, Federer paid homage to the World champion.

Federer also claimed that retiring from tennis made him realise something that Messi’s victory showcased.

“What stands out to me about Messi is his consistent greatness over so many years,” said Federer. “This is so difficult to achieve, and then maintain. He dribbles like a magician, and his angular passes are works of art. His awareness and anticipation are almost beyond comprehension.

“My career has just come to an end. I now realise how much weight we athletes carry. But in our daily lives, we don’t even realise it. For a football player like Messi, that weight likely feels more massive, as he represents both a world-renowned club and a very passionate country.

“Argentina’s World Cup victory was magnificent. Millions of fans’ taking to the streets of Buenos  Aires to celebrate was an amazing moment in sports, witnessed around the world. Even those who don’t follow football must have realised the true impact of the world’s most popular game.”