Tennis player Rafael Nadal responds publicly to Lionel Messi following Messi’s viral remark that he and Nadal are “similar.” According to NDTV, Nadal sends a message to Messi after the comment, drawing attention to the exchange between the two sports figures. The reports note that the context for renewed coverage of Messi includes a standout performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where Messi scores a hat-trick. The two outlets provided focus on Nadal’s reaction to Messi’s “we’re similar” statement and the timing around Messi’s recent on-field success. While the available information centers on the social-media-style interaction and its visibility online, the reports do not describe detailed dialogue or specific wording beyond the “we’re similar” reference. Overall, the coverage frames the episode as a cross-sport engagement that gains traction due to Messi’s World Cup performance and the viral nature of his comparison to Nadal.