Stephen A. Smith compared soccer star Lionel Messi to basketball legend Michael Jordan during a recent episode of ESPN's First Take [1].
The comparison highlights the global intersection of sporting greatness as the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its conclusion. By linking Messi to Jordan, Smith frames the Argentinian's career within the context of undisputed athletic dominance across different disciplines.
Smith said the remarks while discussing the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup final, which features a matchup between Spain and Argentina [1], [2]. The discussion focused on the stakes of the match, and the legacy of the players involved.
While the comparison sparked reactions among soccer fans, it follows a long-standing trend of sports analysts attempting to quantify greatness by comparing athletes from different sports [2]. Smith used the Jordan analogy to illustrate the level of impact and skill Messi brings to the pitch.
The 2026 tournament has seen significant global attention, and the final between Spain and Argentina represents the culmination of the competition [1]. Smith's analysis on First Take serves as part of the broader media build-up to the championship game.
“Stephen A. Smith likened Lionel Messi to Michael Jordan”
This comparison reflects the trend of 'cross-sport' legacy debates used by American media to provide context for international athletes. By using Michael Jordan as a benchmark, the narrative shifts from purely technical soccer achievements to a broader conversation about global iconography and competitive supremacy.
