Lionel Messi joined the farewell messages for Pope Francis

That historic meeting in 2013 between Francis and the national teams of Argentina and Italy not only celebrated the election of the first South American Pope, but also demonstrated how football can be a vehicle for spreading universal values. The day reflected the connection between sport and spirituality, leaving a legacy of peace, unity, and social commitment that marked players and fans alike.

The Pope's opinion on Maradona, Messi, and Pelé

Another very memorable episode that united Pope Francis and Messi occurred in November 2023. During an interview with the RAI network, the Pontiff was asked about the most iconic footballers of all time. Without hesitation, he mentioned Diego Armando Maradona, Lionel Messi, and Pelé.

Francis praised Maradona's talent, although he lamented the personal difficulties that surrounded him. "Maradona as a player was great, but as a man he failed. The poor guy stumbled with the court of those who praised him and didn't help him", the Pope recalled, referring to his meeting with the former footballer during the first year of his pontificate.

As for Messi, he highlighted his attitude and professionalism, describing him as "very correct" and "a gentleman". However, when asked about his favorite player, Francis chose Pelé, whom he defined as "the great gentleman" among the three.

Pope Francis's death caused global shock. Among the most anticipated messages by Argentinians was that of Lionel Messi, who used his social media to dedicate some heartfelt words to his compatriot.

From his official Instagram account, Messi shared an image with the Supreme Pontiff and wrote: "A different Pope, close, Argentinian... RIP Pope Francis. Thank you for making the world a better place. We will miss you".

The post included a photograph taken on August 13, 2013, when the National Team met with Francis at the Vatican, in the context of a friendly match between Argentina and Italy. On that occasion, Messi was the representative of the Argentinian team, while Gianluigi Buffon fulfilled that role for the Italian team.

It is worth noting that Messi, despite being injured and unable to play the friendly, traveled especially to participate in that meeting with Francis. In later statements, the Argentinian captain described the day as "special and unforgettable", highlighting how significant it was to meet the first Argentinian Pope in history. "Football has taken me all over the world, but today has truly been a special day", said the Rosario native.

The forward also referred to the Pope's message, emphasizing the importance of setting a good example both on and off the field. "Only with respect for the opponent can one become a man and a better footballer", Messi expressed, before the friendly began in which the Argentinian National Team, led by Alejandro Sabella, won 2-1.