The term 'greatness recognises greatness' has rarely held such significance in sport following Lionel Messi's praise of Rafael Nadal.
Both athletes have been named on the six-person shortlist to be named Sportsman of the Year at the upcoming Laureus Sports Awards after huge success in 2022. Yet despite remarkable accomplishments in their respective fields, the prolific pair were each eager to shower one another with praise in the wake of their nominations.
Nadal moved clear as the all-time major title record-holder following victories at both the Australian Open and French Open—although Novak Djokovic has since caught up to sit on 22 Grand Slam trophies apiece. However, Messi leading Argentina to their first World Cup crown since Diego Maradona did so in 1986 may have been the bigger headline.
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And 14-time French Open-winner Nadal appeared to acknowledge as much when he reacted to Laureus' announcement by saying Messi 'deserved' the gong. Both men have earned their seventh nominations for Laureus' Sportsman of the Year award, though Messi has a chance to draw level with Nadal on two wins after sharing the prize with Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
"That such a great sportsman like you put me on that leaves me speechless," the South American wrote on his Instagram story in response to his nomination. "Thank you so much @rafaelnadal, you too deserve everything for the way you compete every time you step on the court. You are a winner, they all deserve the @laureussport this year the truth!!!"
The Spanish-speaking pair aren't the only recognisable names on the six-man shortlist; in fact, each of those still in the running for the award have been nominated at some point in the past. Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is aiming to become the first back-to-back Sportsman of the Year since Djokovic did so in 2015/16, while World Cup runner-up (and Golden Boot-winner) Kylian Mbappe is named for the second time.
Swedish pole-vaulter Mondo Duplantis has also in the ballot for a second time after just falling short in 2021, while NBA champion and Finals MVP Steph Curry is nominated for the first time in five years. Each of the six names in contention is a leader in their respective industry, but the timing and context of Messi's World Cup win may well grant an additional edge his peers can't match.
Paris Saint-Germain's puppeteer won every honour available in club football and accrued seven Ballons d'Or titles during his 21-year stay at Barcelona. However, international acclaim long evaded one widely accredited as football's G.O.A.T., with Messi even retiring from Argentina duty in 2016 due to fan pressures.
Even Nadal couldn't help but credit the South American for answering those critics in his final World Cup, clinching the sport's grandest prize at the final hurdle in Qatar. And from one great to another, both Messi and Nadal would be content in seeing their fellow superstar recognised for their work in 2022.
