In an unexpected twist that has left the sports world speechless, Lionel Messi and Novak Djokovic have become embroiled in a controversy that has transcended the boundaries of their respective sports. What appeared to be a simple invitation from Messi to Djokovic has turned into a scandal of epic proportions, with a secret contract worth over $200 million revealed, which some say could have been the reason behind Djokovic’s humiliating defeat in the 2025 Miami Open final. This agreement, which included hiring Djokovic as Messi’s son’s personal trainer, has unleashed a series of events that have shaken both the worlds of football and tennis.

The story began several weeks ago, when Lionel Messi, at a private event, made a surprising offer to Novak Djokovic: to become the personal coach of his son Thiago, who, as is well known, has a great passion for tennis. Messi, who has always admired Djokovic’s level of competition and his ability to coach and motivate other athletes, took advantage of their meeting at a charity gala to make the proposal.

“Novak, I admire what you’ve achieved, and I believe your tennis experience could be invaluable to Thiago. I would like you to join our family in a different way, as his personal coach,” Messi told Djokovic privately, according to sources close to the event. “I will offer you a contract that reflects your talent and the value you would add to my son’s life.”

Djokovic’s response, although surprising, was positive. The Serbian tennis player, always willing to accept new challenges, expressed interest in the proposal, but what Messi didn’t reveal at the time was the magnitude of the contract he had prepared. According to rumors that quickly began to circulate, the deal involved an astronomical figure:  more than $200 million in exchange for coaching Thiago for a period of three years.

What seemed like a lucrative offer for Djokovic soon became embroiled in controversy when information about the secret contract began to leak to the media. The agreement, in addition to being financial, reportedly included clauses related to Djokovic’s performance and attitude, putting enormous pressure on him.  “It was a dream contract, but the burden of expectations that came with it was too heavy for Djokovic,” commented one tennis insider.

On the day of the 2025 Miami Open final, Djokovic faced a young and promising opponent: Italian Jannik Sinner. Despite Djokovic’s experience and accomplishments, the pressure of his contract and the stress of fulfilling his new non-sporting commitments seemed to work against him. In a match filled with unforced errors and a visibly nervous attitude, Djokovic suffered a crushing defeat to Sinner, with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 7-5. Tennis fans and experts were shocked, as it is unusual to see Djokovic lose so overwhelmingly in a final.

Comments quickly began to flow on social media, with many speculating that the pressure of his secret contract with Messi could have affected his performance. “Is it possible that this multi-million dollar contract with Messi has affected Djokovic’s mental state? He hasn’t been seen this erratic in years,” wrote one fan on Twitter.

The impact of the defeat at Miami 2025 was devastating for Djokovic. Not only did he lose a major title, but his behavior during the match and apparent confusion led to harsh media attacks. Criticism was swift, with many pointing out that the loss was not only a blow to his career but also a reflection of the internal issues he may be facing off the court.

“Djokovic has never been known for giving up so easily. Something else must be going on behind the scenes,” a sports analyst said on a television program. “The emotional burden of having to fulfill a $200 million contract must have been too much for him.”

Djokovic himself, after the match, couldn’t hide his frustration and discouragement. In a press conference afterward, he appeared visibly dejected, saying: “It’s not a good day for me. There are many things I need to reflect on and work on, but today I wasn’t at my best.” However, he didn’t mention Messi’s contract or external pressures.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi has also been questioned about the contract and his relationship with Djokovic. Although he initially expressed enthusiasm for the proposal, media reactions have forced Messi to defend his decision. “This is an agreement between friends. I want Thiago to learn from the best, and Novak is one of them. I never wanted this to cause a problem in his career,” Messi said in a recent interview.

However, some experts suggest that Messi may have made a mistake by involving Djokovic in such a public and professionally demanding relationship, without considering the impact it could have on the tennis player’s mental state. “This seems like a strategic move to secure Thiago’s future, but they didn’t consider the repercussions it would have on Djokovic,” said one sports analyst.

Novak Djokovic’s future now stands at a crossroads. After the humiliating defeat in Miami, the eyes of the world will be on his next move. Will he be able to recover from this blow and continue dominating tennis, or will the stress of his contract with Messi have a lasting impact on his performance? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, the story of this multi-million dollar deal between Messi and Djokovic remains a hot topic, with many wondering if the price of fame and money is really what great athletes need to maintain their focus and competitiveness. What is certain is that this surprising story will be a hot topic in the coming months.