`Thank you, Leo`: Roger Federe

The USA magazine 'Time' has recently published the list of 100 most influential people in which Lionel Messi has been placed. Roger Federer, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, congratulated the World Cup-winning Argentine superstar on such an achievement.

Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam winner who retired from tennis in September last year, wrote, 'There is no reminiscence about Lionel Messi's goalscoring record and title wins.'

Federer is impressed with the way Messi is performing despite his declining age. He knows how difficult it is for a player to maintain greatness for long, but Messi's praise is in his voice.

He said, 'The thing that has caught my eye the most about Messi at the age of 35 is the retention of greatness for so many years. It is as difficult to achieve as it is to maintain. His dribbling is magical, his angled passes are works of art. His awareness and precognition are beyond comprehension.'

After retiring, Federer realizes how important legendary athletes like him are to the rest. Athletes don't realize that in everyday life, and the Swiss legend feels that's the case with Messi too.

He said, 'My career is over. Now realize how important we athletes are. But we don't feel it in our daily life. For a footballer like Messi, the scope is greater, as he represents a popular club and a football-crazy country. Argentina's World Cup win was extraordinary. It was a great moment for sport when millions took to the streets of Buenos Aires. The whole world saw it. Even those who don't watch football understand the impact of the world's most popular game.

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