Novak Djokovic took a jokey swipe at Lionel Messi after the sporting icons enjoyed successful Tuesday evening's at Wimbledon and the World Cup15:42, 08 Jul 2026When Novak Djokovic was informed that Lionel Messi had played a crucial role in one of the great World Cup fightbacks while the 24-time Grand Slam champion was competing on Centre Court, he had a characteristically wry response. "It would be nice to play 90 minutes like him," smiled Djokovic following the longest quarter-final match in Wimbledon history.‌And for much of the five hours and 15 minutes against Felix Auger-Aliassime, Djokovic was relentless. In Argentina's thrilling triumph over Egypt, Messi carefully chose his moments to get involved. As Messi does.‌But that is where the contrasts end. At the age of 39, Djokovic and Messi are separated by just 33 days yet are united by greatness.‌They are bound together by their indefatigability, their physical resilience, their mental strength and their adaptability. Remarkably, they have managed to sustain extraordinary standards, much as basketball's LeBron James and American football's Tom Brady did before them. They have adapted.Earlier at these Championships, Djokovic said: "I love watching greatness in the making and continuing the evolution of greatness, like Messi, like LeBron James. It's amazing to see."I feel like we are all setting the bar higher and moving the needle of what people thought is possible in terms of level of competition and level of performance at a late age."‌What is truly remarkable is that people were saying precisely the same thing about Messi and Djokovic three and four years ago.They were saying it when Messi carried Argentina to World Cup glory in late 2022. Pundits were making those claims at the tail end of 2023, after Djokovic had claimed three Grand Slams that year and fallen at the final hurdle at Wimbledon.‌Yet here in 2026, both Messi and Djokovic continue to perform at the very highest level.It's worth recalling that Messi made his competitive senior debut in 2004 - for Barcelona in La Liga - the very same year Djokovic competed in his first ATP Tour event, the Croatian Open.These two giants of sport aren't turning back the clock — time has simply never managed to catch up with them. In the lengthy build-up to the World Cup, there were murmurs of uncertainty surrounding Messi's participation.‌Yet it should never have been questioned. Messi thrives on nothing more than rising to the occasion on the grandest stage of all. The very same applies to Djokovic, who faces Jannik Sinner with a place in the final at stake.The seven-time Wimbledon champion steps out for his 55th Grand Slam semi-final, further cementing his all-time record.‌His unrivalled record of Wimbledon singles match victories now sits at 107. He is the oldest player to reach a men's singles semi-final since Ken Rosewall made the last four in 1974."Another great, historic run for me at the Grand Slams," said Djokovic. "This is what counts the most, honestly. I still try to prove to myself and to others that I am able to compete with the best players in the world and beat them on the biggest stage."That is precisely what Djokovic must achieve once more if he is to claim that record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, and equally what Messi must deliver if he is to guide Argentina to further World Cup glory. Don't rule it out.Article continues below"Messi was born the same year I was born, '87," Djokovic said. "It was a good year to be born." It was, without question. A fine year for tennis, a fine year for football, a fine year for sport.