WATCH: Novak Djokovic makes a stunning appearance at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony with Lionel Messi set to win the historic event

Novak Djokovic has always been a massive fan of football and follows the sport very closely.

WATCH: Novak Djokovic makes a stunning appearance at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony with Lionel Messi set to win the historic event

Novak Djokovic - Lionel Messi at the Ballon d'Or ceremony (Source: Twitter)

Novak Djokovic has made a surprise appearance at the 2023 Ballon d’Or ceremony, which is currently going on at the Theatre de Chatelet. The Serb has always been an ardent fan of football and follows the sport closely.

He had even attended the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he watched the match alongside football stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and PSG’s president Nasser Al Khelaifi. 

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Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, who holds the highest number of Ballon D’ors in the history of football (7) is once again the favorite to win the prestigious trophy this year, having won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with his national team. However, Erling Haaland, who won a treble with Manchester City and was the highest goalscorer last season, is expected to give close competition to the GOAT and the result is yet to be declared. 

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Although Novak Djokovic is a Cristiano Ronaldo fan, he misses no opportunity to praise Lionel Messi. The two recently met in America after the Argentine joined Major League Soccer side Inter Miami. The Serb had called Messi a ‘phenomenon’ back then. 

It’s a second time we met with each other. We talked 15 minutes about everything, I would like to meet him and talk about everything again. Messi is a phenomenon. He’s a huge champion, I have a huge respect for him.
The 23-times Grand Slam winner said 

Novak Djokovic feels fortunate to have been present at the 2022 FIFA World Cup final 

As mentioned earlier, Novak Djokovic was present in the final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and he witnessed the grand event live. He was simply awestruck by the grandeur of the final and how the match transpired. 

Novak Djokovic, Lionel Messi and Neymar
Novak Djokovic, Lionel Messi and Neymar (Images via Purepeople and Insider)

Djokovic said

I was really fortunate to be there present. By many people, it’s the best World Cup final ever. What an outstanding finish, the way they won it, the way they were welcomed at home. 

Complimenting Lionel Messi, the Serb said: 

Him being humble, a down-to-earth guy, not taken away by success. All these years is something I feel like serves as a great example to all the children that look up to him, they want to be like him.

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