Novak Djokovic and Lionel Messi are both now 39, and neither has hinted at retirement. Before the World Cup final, the two stars met — with Djokovic playing questioner and Messi answering. The owner of 24 Grand Slams asked Messi about handling pressure, and one of the world’s best footballers answered with a smile.
Djokovic asked: “How did you learn to keep your playing ability while ignoring the pressure?” Messi laughed. Handling the serve from one of the world’s best tennis players, he said: “I never think too much about pressure. I’ve always seen it as a very natural thing — going to play, enjoying it, being in the competition. We love competition. We always want to win. Look, football is a game. Our opponents also come to win. You can’t always win.”
Messi added: “Over time I’ve learned that there are more defeats than wins. That realisation has helped me mature as a person and a player.” Messi plays his third World Cup final on 19 July, against Spain. Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semi-finals a few days ago. Both are now 39, and neither has hinted at retirement.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report