Lionel Messi visited the Miami Open and his son caused a sensation in his meeting with Djokovic.

While recovering from an injury that prevents him from participating in the South American Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi  decided to enjoy a well-deserved break in Miami. Accompanied by his wife  Antonela Roccuzzo and their three children, Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro, the soccer star experienced a different day by attending the semifinals of the Miami Open, a top-level tennis event.

The match that caught the Messi family's attention the most was the intense clash between Novak Djokovic  and  Grigor Dimitrov. Despite Dimitrov's defeat, Djokovic emerged victorious with a solid 6-2 and 6-3 in the sets. During and after the match, Messi and his family took the time to greet the Serbian tennis player and offer their support, something that didn't go unnoticed by Djokovic.

In a subsequent press conference, the renowned tennis player thanked Messi's gesture and shared an anecdote that caused a stir on social media.  "One of Messi's sons rated me an 8 out of 10. He told me, with a serious face, that I must score a 10 in the next match. So now I feel the pressure from a child," Djokovic commented with a laugh. The amusing story quickly became a trend, with fans speculating about which of Messi's sons had made such a peculiar comment. Most agreed it was Mateo, the second of the player's three sons.

Djokovic himself also reflected on the importance of having Messi's entire family present at the event. "It's different when someone comes alone, but coming with his wife and children is another thing. I was very moved to see them together. As a young father, I understand what it means to share moments like this," said the Serbian tennis player, visibly moved by Messi's gesture.

Messi's presence at sporting events outside of soccer, like tennis, was also highlighted for its relevance in the visibility of other sports. Djokovic acknowledged how important it is for tennis to have a figure of Messi's magnitude present: "It's a great moment for the tournament and for the sport in general that he's here," he concluded.