Patrick Mahomes will lead the Kansas City Chiefs in pursuit of a historic “three-peat” at Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans. Fielding questions from reporters as part of his Super Bowl media duties, Mahomes was asked about the significance of playing in front of soccer legend Lionel Messi, who will be attending the event.
As you would expect, the Chiefs idol was full of praise for his fellow athlete, referring to the Argentine as the “GOAT.”
Patrick Mahomes on Lionel Messi: ‘He’s the GOAT’
NFL players are no strangers to playing in front of famous spectators, with celebrities far and wide turning out to watch their teams over the course of the season. The Super Bowl takes that to a whole new level though, with some of the most famous faces in the world turning up for the big event.
If there’s one team you would think would be used to that by now, it’s the Chiefs, who have perhaps the most famous fan in the world watching them most weeks.
Taylor Swift is at Arrowhead Stadium to watch Travis Kelce and the Chiefs 👀
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/o4Qku6eWF7
— ESPN (@espn) September 24, 2023
This year, the greatest soccer player in the history of the game will be in New Orleans to witness the Chiefs and Eagles battle to further their own sporting legacies.
Asked about the significance of Messi’s attendance and Mahomes’ feelings about playing in front of the soccer great, Mahomes was respectful and excited.
“Yeah I mean, just like any other profession, he’s the ‘GOAT’ of his profession and to have someone like that at the game, it’ll be awesome.”
Mahomes continued: “I’ll be able to show him who I am and what talent I have.”
‘Someone Else That I Can Look Up To’
Clearly inspired by Messi’s incredible career achievements, as well as his professional approach to his craft, Mahomes elaborated further.
Recalling a past experience when the roles were reversed, the Chiefs star recounted watching Messi play in Kansas City.
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
“I got to watch him when he played at Kansas City. I think it was last year, maybe a couple of years ago. He had a couple of goals in that game and you see the greatness, the greatness that he displays every single day.
“So someone else I can look up to and try to get on his level someday.”
🚨 Lionel Messi will be at the Super Bowl. Here is Patrick Mahomes talking about it. Via @MundoNFL.pic.twitter.com/Y3ZBRv2eC5
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) February 4, 2025
It’s very difficult to compare quarterbacks with soccer players. The importance and influence of a quarterback isn’t something that the free-flowing nature of soccer allows any of the positions on its fields to command.
Greatness is also hard to quantify when comparing the two sports. A soccer player at the top level will compete in four or more club competitions in a season, plus international competitions at both the continental and world levels. There is only one Super Bowl, a fact that makes the American version of football so great.
Mahomes will never match Messi for trophies, that would be an unfair contest. As far as legacy goes, though, Mahomes is well on his way to becoming the greatest of all time. And as the NFL continues to grow in popularity worldwide, Mahomes has an opportunity to grow his legacy in ways that previous greats didn’t.
The fact that Tom Brady wouldn’t be considered a household name outside of the continent of North America may seem absurd, but it’s the truth. Mahomes is the face of the NFL at a time when the league is making waves across the globe. If the NFL continues to grow as it has done in recent years, Mahomes could reach heights that would have previously seemed unfathomable.
But first, a “three-peat.”
