Lionel Messi, renowned as one of the greatest soccer players of all time, has recently shared his admiration for another sports legend: Michael Jordan. Despite Messi’s own remarkable achievements on the soccer field, including leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup and earning numerous accolades during his tenure at Barcelona, he still holds Jordan in high regard.

Jordan, a basketball icon who played for the Chicago Bulls, is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in NBA history. With six NBA Championship rings, five NBA MVP awards, and numerous All-Star Game appearances, Jordan’s legacy in basketball is unparalleled. Messi, recognizing Jordan’s impact on sports, revealed in an exclusive interview with Star+ and ESPN that meeting Jordan and getting a photo with him is on his bucket list.

Despite Messi’s status as a sports superstar himself, his desire to meet Jordan underscores the universal admiration for the basketball legend. Messi’s aspiration to meet his idol reflects the shared dreams many individuals have of meeting their own sports heroes, highlighting the humanizing effect of idolizing figures even for the most accomplished athletes like Messi.

Given Messi’s prominence in the United States, where he now plays for Inter Miami, it’s entirely possible that his dream of meeting Jordan and capturing a photo with him will soon become a reality, further cementing his status as a sports icon.