Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi v/s Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – a rather unheard or even unthought-of battle, wouldn’t you agree? Being legends of their respective sports, how does a soccer star match up with Formula 1’s reigning World Champion? Despite being an odd pairing to face off at the international stage, they did lock horns for the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2022 with the World Cup winner trumping the Dutchman. But with his heroics in the last weekend, the Dutch Lion has finally roared, one-upping not only Messi but also the “legend” that the Argentinian looked up to.

Around a decade ago, Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona showcased the highly aesthetic and super-functional ‘Tiki Taka’ that baffled their rivals. For the unversed, this style of play was borrowed partially from Messi’s idol who ruled soccer in the 1970s. Dutch sensation, the late Johan Cruyff, revolutionized the game by introducing ‘Total Football’ – a system that the Dutch made famous and their hero, Cruyff stamped his name on. This is the same style of soccer that Ted Lasso had an epiphany about while solving a crisis in Season 3 of the show.

Coming back to Formula 1 – Max Verstappen has written his name in the sport’s hall of fame by equaling the all-time record of 9 consecutive wins. Moreover, he clinched the 9th win at his home race – the Dutch GP at Zandvoort. After achieving this historic feat, he is now considered to have passed Cruyff as the Netherlands’ biggest athlete.

The latest episode of the Sky Sports podcast was entirely dedicated to Verstappen. The hosts, Matt Baker, Dutch racer, Giedo van der Garde, and F1 content creator Tom Bellingham were all gaga over the 2x champ’s triumphs. van der Garde reckoned that the Red Bull racer has overtaken the legendary Cruyff to be the most prominent Dutch athlete. He said, “Johan Cruyff was the biggest athlete in Holland. But now I think Max is probably, maybe bigger than Johan Cruyff.”

What Verstappen is doing is unbelievable and frankly put, probably unmatchable by any other racer in the world. Even his team’s boss can’t believe the extent of his success.

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Red Bull Boss Christian Horner loses his mind as Max Verstappen replicates Sebastian Vettel’s historic run

10 years ago, in 2013, then-Red Bull racer Sebastian Vettel won 9 races in a row in his RB9. A feat that was never thought possible and one that broke Michael Schumacher’s record of 7 consecutive wins. 10 years after that incredible achievement, Max Verstappen has come strutting along and has matched the record with the same team.

At such a junction, when history has repeated itself, Team Principal Christian Horner has lauded his driver. “To have achieved nine victories with Sebastian was very special,” said Horner, after the Dutch GP. “It was something I never thought we’d end up repeating so to be sitting here with Max having replicated what Sebastian did 10 years ago is very special.”

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As F1 makes its way to Monza for the Italian GP this weekend, the Dutchman will look for his record-breaking 10th consecutive victory. One that he is touted to effortlessly win.

WATCH THIS STORY | Max Verstappen’s Record Win: Takes a Shot at Lewis Hamilton After Dominant Dutch GP Victory