Andy Murray Meets Lionel Messi at Miami Open and Shares Hilarious Exchange
Andy Murray’s sharp sense of humor was on display after meeting football legend Lionel Messi at the Miami Open. The former British tennis star, now coaching Novak Djokovic, took the opportunity to snap a photo with Messi in the locker room at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Messi was in attendance with his family to watch the tournament’s semi-finals on Friday. Even with Djokovic competing, the Argentine icon was the center of attention, surrounded by fans eager for a selfie.
A Classic Murray Joke
Sharing the photo on Instagram, Murray couldn’t resist cracking a joke, referencing a well-known football cliché:
“I asked him if he could do it on a cold rainy night in Stoke,” Murray quipped. “He responded ‘cállate la boca,’ which I think means yes in Spanish.”
For those wondering, “cállate la boca” actually translates to “shut your mouth.” The cheeky caption quickly gained traction, drawing three laughing emojis from Djokovic and amassing over 110,000 likes.
Messi’s Miami Influence
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has become the face of the club and Major League Soccer. The 37-year-old, who missed Argentina’s recent international fixtures due to a minor injury, proved his worth once again by coming off the bench to score the winning goal in Inter Miami’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday. His former Barcelona teammates, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, also featured in the match.
Djokovic and Mensik Inspired by Messi
Both Novak Djokovic and Jakub Mensik admitted that Messi’s presence added motivation to their games. Djokovic, who defeated Grigor Dimitrov, was thrilled to play in front of the football legend.
“It was an honor to have him here,” Djokovic said. “I’ve admired him throughout his career, and it’s amazing that he keeps going. We’re the same age, both born in 1987, so it’s quite nice to have him around.”
Meanwhile, Mensik joked that shaking Messi’s hand before his match against Taylor Fritz was his lucky charm:
“I didn’t wash my hand before stepping on court. That was the key today,” Mensik laughed.
Messi’s influence stretches beyond football, and as his Miami adventure continues, it’s clear he remains a global icon across all sports.
