Stephen Curry on his love of soccer: Messi's creativity inspires me

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is widely regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history, but his connection to soccer runs just as deep. Growing up in North Carolina, Curry played soccer, basketball, baseball, and American football as a child. He has repeatedly said that soccer helped him improve his hand-eye coordination, spatial awareness, and footwork on the court, and he often encourages young athletes to play multiple sports.

Soccer remains part of Curry's daily training. Kicking and juggling a ball with his feet before games is a regular part of his warm-up routine, a habit he developed over the years with Hall of Famer Steve Nash and the Warriors' staff.

Curry's appreciation for soccer also extends to today's stars, especially Messi.

Speaking about their styles, Curry said: "I try to do some fancy things with my hands on the court, do crossover dribbles, bring a certain creativity and flair to my game. And that's definitely the style Messi has in his game. I love watching him play... as soon as he touches the ball, something special can happen."

He added: "Greatness inspires greatness, that's for sure... It's about longevity, creativity, and the impact he has had on the sport worldwide." In 2021, when Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain and chose the No. 30 jersey, which Curry also wears, Curry wrote on Twitter: "I see Messi has good taste. Good luck at Paris Saint-Germain, brother."