Which Indian player gets compared to Lionel Messi [Source: AFP]At 38, Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi continues to dazzle on the field as he led his team to a comprehensive 3-0 win against Algeria in the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage match. The Footballing icon might not have the pace that he once had, but he still has the ability to terrorise the opponent with sheer skills.Messi is a magician on the field, and just like him in Football, the game of Cricket has also witnessed several magicians. Over the years, if we specifically talk about Indian cricket, the sport has seen several high-profile and talented players perform, but none are bigger than Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni.Qualities that MS Dhoni, Tendulkar, Kohli possess to be a leaderMS DhoniAfter Argentina’s win over Algeria, FIFA revealed a Messi poster, and the message they wrote was “Thala.” Many cricket fans felt that the governing body was comparing Messi to the former Indian cricket captain.MS Dhoni, the former India captain, is cool and calm, and under his guidance as the team leader, India became a powerhouse across formats. Like Messi, he is a man of few words, and his actions speak louder than words.He gets the best out of the resources you give to him, and that’s what made him a terrific Indian captain.Virat KohliVirat Kohli, another former captain, has traits that are completely different from MS Dhoni. He is ultra-aggressive and wants to win at any cost, which makes him different. The Delhi cricketer never shies away from a challenge, and he is always in your face as a leader.While he possesses a quality that is unreal, he is not the closest to Lionel Messi, and this is something that even Kohli would admit.Also Read: What If Cricket Teams Switch To Football? FIFA World Cup 2026 Heavyweights IdenticalsSachin TendulkarA cool and calm leader, and someone who lets his bat do the talking, Sachin Tendulkar was one of the most gifted athletes India has ever produced.Players feel comfortable around him, and interestingly, his cricketing journey and attributes are similar to those of Messi.Why Sachin Tendulkar is actually the closest to Lionel MessiTwo naturally gifted athletesSuperhuman, alien, these are the words that have been used over the years to describe Lionel Messi. He does things on a Football field that are unreal, and it makes you jump from your seat. Similarly, Tendulkar, who made his India debut at a young age, was touted as the most gifted cricketer ever.Tendulkar played shots that looked majestic, and he hammered bowlers with utmost ease for 24 years. On a similar length, he could play two different strokes, and it made him a special batter.Similar sporting journeysMessi made his FIFA World Cup debut in 2006, but it wasn’t until 2022 that he got his hands on the World Cup trophy. He failed in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018, and finally, after four attempts the Argentine won the trophy in Qatar in 2022.Similarly, Tendulkar made his World Cup debut in 1992, but after five attempts (1992, 1996, 1999, 2003, 2007), he finally won the World Cup in 2011.When the two speak, players listenAs stated before, Messi is a man of few words, but when he speaks, his Argentinian teammates listen carefully. He is a leader through his actions, and all his mates follow in his footsteps. Similarly, Tendulkar doesn’t speak much, but when he does, not only the players listen, but even the board (BCCI) take his words into consideration.Also Read: Standout Performers In IPL 2026 Who Can Set MLC On Fire
