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The newest Olympic men's 100m champion Noah Lyles - who beat Kishane Thomas in a photo finish in Paris on Sunday (August 4) - once waxed lyrical of Lionel Messi. The Argentine is widely regarded as the best player in history.
During an illustrious career spanning two decades, Messi has been an epitome of sustained brilliance and consistency, still going strong for club and country. With over 800 goals for club and country, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has won every major title in club or international football.
Messi recently created history by winning a record 45th title with club and country at the 2024 Copa America, where Argentina defended their title with a hard-fought 1-0 extra-time win over Colombia in Miami.
Meanwhile, in one of the best 100m sprints in Olympic history on Sunday, all eight men ran under 10 seconds, with Lyles edging Thomas by five thousandths of a second to deliver USA's first Olympic gold at the event since Athens 2004.
It has now emerged that Lyles - in an October 2023 interview in Paris - had said about Messi:
"An Immortal"
At the time, Messi, who was a few months into his stint with MLS side Inter Miami, whom he had joined on a free transfer after 19 years in European football, had won a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or.
How has Lionel Messi fared for Inter Miami?
Inter Miami attacker Lionel Messi is in the midst of an injury-plagued first full season with the Herons. Nevertheless, he has fared well whenever he has been available, especially this season.
In 15 games across competitions in 2024, La Pulga has contributed 14 goals and 11 assists. Most of those goal contributions - 12 goals and nine assists in 12 games - have come in MLS, where Tata Martino's side are five points clear atop the Eastern Conference.
Messi has also contributed two goals and as many assists in three games in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, where the Herons lost 5-2 on aggregate to Monterrey in the quarter-finals.
Overall, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner's record with the Herons reads 25 goals and 16 assists in 29 games across competitions, winning the 2023 Leagues Cup, the club's first-ever title.
