Messi was listed among the 'Titans' while Griner is one of the 'Icons' in the list.
It’s that time of the year once again when Time Magazine lists down the 100 most influential people in the world. Athletes, to no surprise, took their places in the 2023 edition.
Brittney Griner’s case to be on the list, however, is more than just playing the sport of basketball.
“BG spent nearly 10 months in Russian prison, wrongfully detained, but never lost hope or her sense of humor,” said Sue Bird, another women’s hoops star, who wrote the ode for Griner in making it to Time 100.
Griner’s detention in Russia was a subject of both political and sports controversy. She was arrested in February 2022 due to drug smuggling charges after cannabis oil was found in her luggage while in a Moscow airport. Despite testifying that she had inadvertently packed it, she was sentenced to nine years in prison.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist was released in December 2022 after US president Joe Biden negotiated a prisoner swap that involved Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
“BG’s wrongful detainment brought attention to issues like the inequities in pay for women athletes. It brought to light the dozens of Americans wrongfully detained around the world, and BG continues to use her platform as a sports superstar to advocate for their release,” added Bird.
No one would need to advocate for the inclusion of Leo Messi in the Time 100 Most Influential list. His magical 2022, highlighted by Argentina finally capturing the FIFA World Cup title, only cemented his legacy as the greatest player of this generation.
Some would even argue that he is the greatest of all-time.
But tennis legend Roger Federer chooses to focus on Messi’s best trait, which is his consistency.
“What stands out to me about Messi, 35, is his consistent greatness over so many years,” said Federer. “This is so difficult to achieve, and then maintain. He dribbles like a magician, and his angular passes are works of art. His awareness and anticipation are almost beyond comprehension.”
The French, despite losing in the World Cup final to Argentina, must not fret because their star Kylian Mbappe also made Time's list as one of the ‘Innovators.’
Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, world's most accomplished skier Mikaela Shiffrin, and tennis star Iga Swiatek are among the other athletes who made the list.