Ananya Lohia , Mexico - Football icon Lionel Messi shared his approach to handling pressure during a special session at Fanatics Fest in New York, where he appeared alongside sporting legends Novak Djokovic, Tom Brady and Kevin Durant. The Argentine captain credited his passion for football and acceptance of defeat as the keys to his success.

During the interactive event, tennis great Novak Djokovic asked Messi how he learned to perform under immense pressure. Responding to the question, Messi said he has always played football with passion and enjoyment rather than focusing on pressure. He added that from a young age, he understood that defeats are a part of sport and that accepting losses helped him grow both as a player and as a person. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni also joined the discussion during the event organised by FIFA.

Messi's remarks come after inspiring Argentina to dramatic comeback victories in the FIFA World Cup, including crucial wins over England and Egypt. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is also leading the tournament's Golden Boot race with eight goals and four assists, edging past France's Kylian Mbappe, who has also scored eight goals but has fewer assists.

Messi's insights on pressure and resilience resonated with fans and fellow athletes alike, offering a glimpse into the mindset that has helped him remain one of the greatest footballers in history.