'Nice to Play 90 Minutes', Novak Djokovic's Witty Lionel Messi Quip Goes Viral After Record-Breaking Five-Hour Wimbledon 2026 QF
Novak Djokovic, 39, endured a record-breaking 5-hour, 15-minute Wimbledon quarterfinal against Felix Auger-Aliassime, prompting a witty remark about Lionel Messi's 90-minute football games. The comment came hours after Messi, also 39, spearheaded Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
Tennis maestro Novak Djokovic found a moment of levity after enduring the longest Wimbledon Gentlemen's Singles Quarterfinal in history on Tuesday, humorously noting his envy for Lionel Messi's 90-minute football games. His remark followed an epic five-hour, 15-minute battle on Centre Court, which concluded mere minutes before Wimbledon's strict 11 PM curfew. The Serbian's marathon victory coincided with football icon Lionel Messi leading Argentina to a spectacular comeback triumph in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16, creating a unique narrative of two 39-year-old sporting titans defying the odds on the same day.  Novak Djokovic Claims Historic 106th Men's Singles Win Wimbledon; Moves Into The Championships 2026 Quarter-Finals.
Novak Djokovic's Witty Reply
Novak Djokovic asked about Lionel Messi "it would be nice to play 90 minutes like him" pic.twitter.com/1LLUIfwgHX
— asud (@asud683385) July 7, 2026
Novak Djokovic's Marathon at SW19
Djokovic, at 39 years old, secured his place in a record-extending 15th Wimbledon semi-final by overcoming Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime (aged 25) in a gruelling five-set thriller. The final scoreline read 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(4) in favour of Djokovic, marking his longest match ever at Wimbledon. The demanding contest unfolded on Centre Court, captivating fans until its dramatic conclusion just before Wimbledon's 11 PM curfew. Following the monumental effort, a journalist drew parallels between Djokovic's enduring performance and Messi's continued brilliance, prompting the Serbian's now-viral response: 'It would be nice to play 90 minutes like him.' Djokovic will now face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.
Lionel Messi's World Cup Heroics
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Atlanta, Lionel Messi, also 39, delivered a masterclass in resilience, guiding Argentina to a sensational 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16. Argentina found themselves trailing by two goals with just 11 minutes remaining but rallied heroically, inspired by their captain. Messi himself contributed significantly, scoring a stunning volley and breaking the World Cup all-time assists record during the dramatic encounter. The victory propels Argentina into the quarterfinals, where they are set to face Switzerland, who defeated Colombia in a penalty shootout. ‘They Want Lionel Messi To Stay’, Egypt Coach Hossam Hassan Claims FIFA World Cup 2026 Is ‘Rigged’ After Argentina Defeat.
A Tale of Two 39-Year-Old Icons
The synchronicity of these two sporting legends, both at the age of 39, delivering such monumental performances on the same day, captivated the global sports community. Djokovic's witty jab at football's fixed match duration underscored the unique physical demands of Grand Slam tennis, where matches can stretch well beyond conventional time limits. Both athletes continue to defy age and expectations, showcasing unparalleled dedication and skill that keeps them at the pinnacle of their respective sports.
As Djokovic prepares for his semi-final clash at Wimbledon and Messi leads Argentina further into the World Cup knockout stages, the sporting world watches in awe of their sustained brilliance and seemingly endless capacity for heroics.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 08, 2026 02:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
