July 10: At 39, when most athletes have long stepped away from elite competition, two of the greatest names in world sport continue to redefine longevity -Lionel Messi on football’s biggest stage and Novak Djokovic at tennis’ most prestigious tournament.
Messi: The World Cup’s Timeless Maestro
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Competing in a record sixth FIFA World Cup.
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Has scored 8 goals in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, putting him firmly in the Golden Boot race alongside stars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.
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Scored his first-ever FIFA World Cup hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening match.
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Became the all-time leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 21 goals, surpassing Miroslav Klose (16).
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Continues to be Argentina’s creative heartbeat as the defending champions prepare for their quarter-final against Switzerland.
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Chasing a second consecutive FIFA World Cup title after lifting the trophy in 2022.
Djokovic: The Ageless champion
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At 39, Djokovic has become the oldest men’s Grand Slam semi-finalist since Ken Rosewall (1977).
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Playing in his 55th Grand Slam semi-final, extending his all-time men’s record.
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Reached his 15th Wimbledon semi-final.
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Advanced to an eighth consecutive Wimbledon semi-final, breaking Roger Federer’s previous streak of seven.
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Chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.
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Looking to win an eighth Wimbledon title, which would equal Roger Federer’s men’s record.
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Owns an incredible 106-13 win-loss record at Wimbledon, the most men’s singles match victories in tournament history.
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Won the longest Wimbledon quarter-final in history (5 hours, 15 minutes) against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
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Has spent 16 hours and 52 minutes on court so far this Wimbledon.
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Defeated Auger-Aliassime by winning 188 of the 373 points played, highlighting his ability to deliver under pressure.
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Holds a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Jannik Sinner on grass, despite trailing 6-5 overall.
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Has a 15-2 record in Grand Slams this season, once again proving his dominance in the best-of-five format.
Two Legends, One Remarkable Story
Different sports. Different journeys. The same relentless pursuit of greatness. As Messi continues his quest for another FIFA World Cup and Djokovic eyes yet another Wimbledon crown, the two legends are proving that age is no barrier to excellence when talent, preparation and hunger remain unmatched.
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026 LIVE and exclusively on Zee 5 in Hindi, English, Malayalam, and Bangla.