Before meeting Lionel Messi in the NFL star’s hometown, Patrick Mahomes acknowledges he was “nervous.” Before Patrick Mahomes’ Inter Miami team played Sporting Kansas City in April, Lionel Messi and Mahomes met in the corridor at Arrowhead Stadium, and Mahomes said he was “nervous.”
Meeting Leo Messi made Patrick Mahomes uneasy, as he felt as though the soccer player didn’t know him.
QB Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs admitted that he didn’t think Messi recognized him during their encounter, even though Mahomes is a superstar in his own right.
In American football and soccer, respectively, Mahomes and Messi are two of the biggest names. But when they see another titan of the profession, even these athletes might get a little star struck. Mahomes discussed his thoughts on the interaction on the ImPaulsive podcast.
“I recently met (Lionel) Messi, and I was really anxious,” he remarked. I had hoped that would occur organically. “They were moving along a narrow hallway as I was strolling down the hall. What should I say as he starts to warm up? I felt like he had a great time, he had fun, it was all on me.” “Have fun out there,” I said, and he scored and assisted.”
Due to Inter Miami’s attraction and the presence of the great Lionel Messi in the city, Kansas City’s home MLS game was shifted from its customary location at the considerably smaller Children’s Mercy Park to the massive Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs. While Arrowhead can accommodate up to 76,000 fans, Sporting’s usual home can only accommodate 25,000.
The Miami team defeated Kansas City 3-2, drawing an incredible 72,610 spectators—the fourth-largest attendance in MLS history. After finding the net once himself earlier, Messi set up his old friend Luis Suarez for the game-winning goal, so the viewers definitely got their money’s worth.
While football is king in many parts of the world, with Messi a household name globally, American football is rapidly expanding its reach. Mahomes may be a star stateside, but he doesn’t quite have the international recognition that Messi enjoys.
The Chiefs signal-caller wasn’t sure if Messi knew who he was when Logan Paul questioned Mahomes on his show. “If someone told him, I don’t think he recognised 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.”
In addition to his reputation as a football player, Mahomes is an avid soccer fan and has ownership stakes in two Kansas City-area teams. Together, he and his spouse Britney, who played soccer in college, have contributed to their community.
The quarterback for the Chiefs owns shares in Sporting Kansas City and also bought Kansas City Current, a team in the National Women’s Super League. In addition, Mahomes and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce recently invested in the Formula One team Alpine.
Mahomes also owns a small share in the MLB franchise, the Kansas City Royals.