Lionel Messi names four athletes he admires the most

Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo made the cut

Lionel Messi almost never speaks to the media. Even after Barcelona matches, he often shies away from the TV cameras, leaving it up to the less experienced members of the squad to front up after what seems to be a weekly humiliation at the moment. But the world's greatest ever player bucked that trend by giving an exclusive interview to Spanish TV channel La Sexta, his first since the interview he gave Goal after the summer saga around his future drew to a close. In the interview, he discussed the athletes he most admires across global sport. Having spent most of his career battling Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or and Laliga titles, Messi said their rivalry is purely sporting and does not extend to off the pitch matters. "There are many athletes who are admirable," the Argentine told La Sexta. On Ronaldo, Messi also said: Messi will be out of contract at Barcelona in the summer and is technically free to speak to potential suitors in January. Though it seems as though Messi favours a move to the United States over joining another European side.