Federer: Messi shows nice guys can win

Roger Federer has said that Lionel Messi’s success is proof that ‘nice guys’ do not always finish last.

The world number two tennis player believes that both his and the Barcelona star’s respective accolades means that it is not always necessary to be disliked in order to succeed.

“Messi and I showed that (despite) being good guys we can be successful,” he said.

“And, along the way, we can enjoy life more.”

The Swiss maestro also admitted it is impossible to compare his status with Messi and Diego Maradona’s in the pantheon of sporting greats, but said he was happy to be mentioned alongside the Argentina legends.

“You cannot compare (me to Messi and Maradona), but I am grateful and proud that I am included in that lot,” Federer said.

Federer insists, however, there is more to come from both himself and Messi.

He added: “Maradona, for his personality and how he played, has a great place in history. Messi and I are in a situation more like, we have done things, but we still have some more to do.”

Messi recently broke Gerd Muller’s record of 85 goals in a calendar year when he netted his 85th and 86th in the 2-1 La Liga win against Real Betis last week.