Lionel Messi has now soared to the heights of sporting excellence, topping a distinguished list of the most accomplished 21 st century athletes, just above such icons like Tom Brady and Cristiano Ronaldo. The list, which was published by Le Journal de Quebec, assesses players in all major sports who have defined the modern age, and Messi came out as the obvious winner.
The list of those whose influence is not limited to trophies and statistics is presented as the world nears the end of the first quarter of the century. The fact that Messi tops the list of the most brilliant players does not only show his personal prowess but also the consistency throughout the twenty years of his level of performance as the world best football player.
The best experience of the Argentine captain was to take Argentina to the world cup winning the trophy in Qatar in 2022 and close a career he celebrated most in the history of sports. Messi has since then proceeded to redefine longevity and influence. In December 2025, he led Inter Miami to the first Major League Soccer championship in the club’s history, as well as, won the Golden Boot and consecutive MVPs.
The club history of Messi is also historic. He was a winner of ten La Liga and four appearances in the UEFA champions league with Barcelona, eight Ballon d’Or, and a very influential personality even in his tenure in Paris Saint-Germain. Until 2028, his present contract with Inter Miami makes his current relevance in world football strengthened.
Messi is ranked over the legendary American football player Tom Brady, who was dominant in NFL, and long term rivals, Cristiano Ronaldo, whose career success was also characteristic of the period. Although there will always be an argument about who is or is not great, this acknowledgement solidifies Messi as the most influential athlete of the contemporary sporting era.
