Lionel Messi pays tribute to Novak Djokovic with goal celebration Video

In a heartfelt tribute, Lionel Messi marked his goal in an MLS match by honouring Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic.

The Argentine forward, who captains Inter Miami, celebrated his strike by mimicking a tennis serve, paying homage to Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam winner, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Messi’s gesture did not go unnoticed by fans and the sports community. The mutual respect between Messi and Djokovic has long been evident, with both athletes frequently voicing their admiration and support for one another.

Messi’s goal played a crucial role in securing a positive result for Inter Miami in their latest match, with his unique celebration becoming one of the most talked-about moments of the game.

😆🎾 @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/u9obFDyryI

— Messi World (@M10GOAT) March 30, 2025

In recent development, Novak Djokovic advanced to the Miami Open final with a dominant 6-2, 6-3 victory over Grigor Dimitrov, setting up a clash with rising star Jakub Mensik. However, what made this match particularly special was the presence of football legend Lionel Messi, who attended the match with his family. Djokovic, clearly touched by Messi’s support, acknowledged the Argentine football icon as “King Leo” and expressed his excitement at having Messi watch him play live for the first time.

Messi, who plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, visited Djokovic's locker room before the match, exchanging gifts with the Serbian star. Djokovic described the experience as an honour, admitting it added a bit of pressure but also immense joy.

The football great’s impact on sports over the past two decades was highlighted by Djokovic, who relished the chance to compete in front of Messi and his family.

By Aghakazim Guliyev