Antetokounmpo says Messi’s career offers a model for lasting greatness

MIAMI: Giannis Antetokounmpo said Lionel Messi’s career path has provided a model for sustained excellence after the Greek forward arrived in South Florida to join the Miami Heat.

Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player who helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the 2021 NBA title, was introduced on Thursday as Miami’s newest signing following his trade from Milwaukee. He said Messi belongs in the same company as LeBron James when it comes to setting standards for greatness in sport.

Speaking about that example, Antetokounmpo said:

You've just got to follow. It's hard. You have to be disciplined. You have to be dedicated to your craft. But it's there. And if you want to follow, you follow. If you don't want to follow, you go home.

He said his thoughts had turned to Messi after watching Argentina secure a place in the World Cup final with a win over England on Wednesday in Atlanta, before travelling to Miami the next day. Antetokounmpo said he had reflected on Messi’s journey from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain and then, in 2023, to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, a move many had expected would mark the end of his time at the highest level.

Instead, Antetokounmpo noted, Messi is now close to a second successive World Cup title. He praised the Argentine’s record, pointing to his eight Ballon d’Or awards, league championships in Spain and France, Champions League success, and his spell in MLS, where he has won an MLS Cup and collected two MVP awards.

Antetokounmpo said:

Messi might go down as one of the best athletes of all time.

He added:

He might have two World Cup Finals wins. When you see that, you get inspired. You definitely get inspired to take care of your body, to keep doing the right thing for your team.

Antetokounmpo also highlighted a moment from Wednesday’s match against England that particularly stood out to him, when Messi was knocked to the ground and his teammates rushed over to support him. For the Heat’s new arrival, that reaction reflected the standing Messi has earned within his team.

On that moment, Antetokounmpo said:

And then you could see all of his teammates sprinted to help him out. You have to earn that. The respect that he has from his team-mates, that's earned ... hopefully in my career I'm able to do something like that.