Messi, Djokovic reinforce GOAT status on a thrilling World Cup & Wimbledon night
· The South African
If you truly believe that World Cup icon Lionel Messi and Wimbledon legend Novak Djokovic aren’t the GOAT in their respective crafts, your levels of delusion need to be studied.
Will the Messi magic ever run out?
After another dramatic evening in the World Cup, the quarter-final lineup is complete. Defending champions Argentina survived an almighty scare, coming from 2-0 down to eventually beat Egypt in a thriller. The great Lionel Messi was at the forefront, as he usually is. The man from Rosario missed a penalty on 21 minutes but atoned spectacularly with an assist for Cristian Romero’s 79th-minute goal and then a goal of his own on 83 minutes. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez completed the stunning comeback in stoppage time. Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes to set up a quarter-final with Messi’s merry men.
Visit afrikasportnews.co.za for more information.
Ageless Djokovic turns back the clock, again
1987 was a decent vintage. Born a mere 32 days before Mr Messi, 39-year-old Novak Djokovic is still on course for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title after an astonishing quarter-final win over Felix Auger-Aliassime at Wimbledon. It took the Serbian five hours and fifteen minutes to eventually vanquish his Canadian opponent, the longest match he’s ever contested at SW19. His reward is a semi-final berth with World Number 1 and tournament favourite Jannik Sinner. The odds might not be in Djokovic’s favour ahead of their Friday showdown, but that’s never stopped Novak.
This will be his 15th appearance in the final four at Wimbledon, where he’s gunning for an eighth crown to take him level with Roger Federer as the tournament’s most decorated men’s player. There’s no longer a debate around who the tennis GOAT is. That man is now in a contest with himself, and he’s hungrier than ever before.
Djokovic and Sinner do battle on Friday.