Two sporting immortals rubbed shoulders on Monday during the 67th annual ceremony of the Ballon d'Or at Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
Novak Djokovic, the best in tennis, met Argentina's football superstar, Lionel Messi, who was crowned the best men's footballer in the world for a record-extending eighth time, beating Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and PSG winger Kylian Mbappe to the prize.
Djokovic and Messi warmly embraced on the red carpet just before the ceremony and the pair were in fine spirits to be able to see each other for a second time. The Serbian star met the Argentine football wizard for the first time during a PSG match in June while competing at Roland Garros.
Djokovic has expressed his admiration for Messi in the past, notably, after the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Messi was key in Argentina securing the trophy a year ago, with Djokovic calling a "great example to all the children that look up to him."
So when the two of them met up in Paris again, under a slew of photographers, they quickly chatted before proceeding to the event stage. Djokovic also caught up with Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham who struck the deal to bring Messi to the United States.
Djokovic had a busy night during the ceremony in which he presented the best women's footballer award to Spain's Aitana Bonmati, who was voted the best player during the FIFA Women's World Cup this year, which Spain won for the first time.
The 36-year-old Djokovic will be competing at the Paris Masters this week, and had the luxury of a first-round bye in the singles competition on Monday, hence answering the invitation to take part in the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
He has already secured a strong start to the tournament in doubles, winning a first-round match in the company of Miomir Kecmanovic. Djokovic will play his first singles match on Wednesday, incidentally, against an Argentine in Tomas Martin Etcheverry. He leads their head-to-head 1-0.
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