Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, widely considered the greatest shooter in NBA history, admits he has been inspired by Lionel Messi’s impact on the world of sports.
Messi, undoubtedly one of the greatest footballers of all time, has achieved unparalleled success throughout his career, winning numerous Champions League titles and leading Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022.
His current success with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer has brought a whole new level to the sport across the pond.
Speaking in a post-game press conference, Curry said: “Greatness inspires greatness in a lot of ways, it’s not like there’s anything particular you can apply between soccer and basketball but just the longevity, the creativity, the impact on sports around the world.
“You appreciate greatness for sure and it inspires you to keep going and do it your way. I obviously have the utmost respect for how he carries himself on and off the pitch.”
While the Warriors are currently experiencing a dip in form, Curry’s shooting prowess remains undeniable. He is currently shooting 41.1% from three-point range, averaging 4.4 threes per game.
🚨 Steph Curry on Leo Messi: “Greatness inspires greatness in many ways. There’s nothing specific you can apply from football to basketball. It’s about longevity, creativity, and his impact on the sport worldwide.
“We appreciate greatness, of course, he inspires you to keep… pic.twitter.com/P6nzmMRQmQ
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) January 14, 2025
The Warriors, currently sitting at 19-20, are eager to regain their winning momentum. Curry will be hoping that the inspiration taken from Messi will help his team get back on track in a bid for the play-offs.
Curry and Messi have exchanged jerseys in the past and Messi even recreated Curry’s iconic “Good night” celebration after scoring a goal for Inter Miami.
Even though Messi now plays at a lower level with Inter Miami compared to the likes of Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, he has shown that he can still perform at the highest level, narrowly missing out on silverware in his second season in Florida.
