Two sporting icons crossed paths on April 13, when Lionel Messi met Patrick Mahomes in the hallway at Arrowhead Stadium. Despite being one of the biggest sporting stars in the world, Mahomes admitted he felt “nervous” when meeting Messi and wished that their first interaction occurred in different circumstances.
Fútbol’s finest 🤝 football’s finest.
Leo Messi links up with Patrick Mahomes at Arrowhead Stadium. pic.twitter.com/jn7gLERIDl
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 14, 2024
When you think of football, you think of Mahomes, and when you think of soccer, Messi comes to mind. They’re the two leading icons in their respective sports, but that still doesn’t mean they don’t feel vulnerable when meeting another titan in the industry.
At least that’s how Mahomes felt, and the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback admitted that he doesn’t believe that Messi knew who he was at the time. “I just met (Lionel) Messi the other day, I was so nervous… I was hoping it would happen naturally,” Mahomes said on the ImPaulsive podcast.
“So I was walking down the hall and they’re walking in a tight hallway. He’s going to warm up, what am I supposed to say? (I said) ‘Have fun out there’ and he had a goal and an assist so I feel like he had a great time, he had fun, it was all on me.”
Kansas City usually plays its home games at Children’s Mercy Park, but with Inter Miami and Messi still a major attraction in MLS the game was relocated to Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs. Sporting’s usual home holds 25,000 fans, but Arrowhead has a capacity of 76,000, and it was almost a sell-out.
There were 72,610 fans in attendance as Miami beat Kansas City 3-2, marking the fourth-largest crowd in MLS history. The fans got what they paid for, as Messi assisted fellow soccer superstar Luis Suarez for the winning goal after the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner had scored himself earlier in the game.
With soccer a global sport, almost everyone knows of Messi. Football is quickly growing across the globe, and although Mahomes is a household name in North America, he doesn’t have the same notoriety as the Miami and Argentina star.
Mahomes was asked by Logan Paul on the podcast if Messi recognized him, and the Chiefs quarterback wasn’t convinced. “If someone told him, I don’t think he recognized me,” Mahomes replied. “He probably watched the Super Bowl… (when) I had my helmet on, maybe I should wear my uniform next time then he’d know who I am.”
It’s likely that Messi is aware of Mahomes, but may not have realized at the time due to being focused on the game. Mahomes was also wearing his sunglasses during the interaction, covering his eyes.
Mahomes is a part-owner of MLS team Sporting Kansas City ( Image:2021 Getty Images)
Mahomes may be known for football, but he’s a big soccer fan and has invested in two teams in the Kansas City area. His wife, Britney, played soccer at college, and they’ve both reinvested in the community.
The Chiefs quarterback is an investor in Sporting Kansas City, and they also bought National Women’s Super League team Kansas City Current. Mahomes also has a small stake in MLB team Kansas City Royals, and recently invested in Formula One team Alpine alongside Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
