Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi shared a warm embrace ahead of Inter Miami’s MLS clash with Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night.
Mahomes, his wife Brittany and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid were all among the crowd for the game at Arrowhead Stadium – the home of NFL giants.
As kick-off approached on Saturday, a video emerged showing Messi and his teammates walking in the bowels of the stadium.
They passed an open doorway, where Mahomes stood alongside Reid. Luis Suarez walked on by but Messi stopped to shake hands and hug the Super Bowl champion.
The quarterback also met with several Inter Miami players – including youngster Benjamin Cremaschi – on the field before the game.
Earlier on Saturday, Brittany had posted a video on social media showing Mahomes – wearing a personalized Sporting KC jersey – heading out of the tunnel.
The Chiefs quarterback and his wife Brittany – a former soccer player – are co-owners of the local women’s team, the Kansas City Current.
The three-time Super Bowl winner is used to being the center of attention at Arrowhead Stadium but on Saturday night it was the turn of soccer great Messi.
Sporting KC typically plays Major League Soccer games at the 18,500 capacity Children’s Mercy Park.
With the Argentina superstar in town, however, the game was moved to the home of the city’s NFL team.
Around 70,000 fans are expected to turn out to see Inter Miami’s visit, with Tata Martino fielding all his big stars for the MLS game.
Messi, Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets were all named in Miami’s starting lineup as the team looks to secure a first win in nearly a month.
