Amidst the electric atmosphere of Arrowhead Stadium, packed with around 70,000 fans eagerly awaiting the game between Sporting Kansas City and David Beckham’s Inter Miami, something extraordinary unfolded. NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes crossed paths with soccer icon Lionel Messi for the first time. While it was just a brief handshake and hug in the hallway, the meeting of these two sporting legends was bound to leave an indelible mark on American sports history.
The two sporting icons, Messi and Mahomes, exchanged words during their interaction. Mahomes greeted Lionel Messi with words of encouragement before the game, “Hey, good luck, man. Have fun out there,” displaying mutual respect. While the content of Messi’s response remains unknown, their interaction indeed epitomized the adage “game recognizes game.”
A warm welcome to Arrowhead Stadium 🤝🏈🏟️ @PatrickMahomes pic.twitter.com/XAVkVnZoMG
— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) April 14, 2024
Patrick Mahomes was spotted alongside his wife Brittany and Chiefs HC Andy Reid at Arrowhead, home of the NFL giants. Ahead of the game, Mahomes even mingled with several Sporting KC players. He has been a co-owner of the franchise since 2020, with MLB’s KC Royals and NWSL’s KC Current, showcasing his commitment to the city’s sporting scene.
The Sporting Kansas City boasted a 3-4-1 record before the game with a solid second place in the competitive Western Conference, while Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami sat at a 3-3-3 record with a third-place sport within the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi And Luis Suarez Outshine Sporting KC In Front Of Patrick Mahomes
Argentine star Lionel Messi stole the show at Arrowhead Stadium, impressing even Patrick Mahomes, as Inter Miami clinched a thrilling win over Sporting Kansas City. Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez showed their magic in front of a record crowd of over 72,000 fans, with LM10 scoring a stunning goal and setting up another for Diego Gomez in Miami’s 3-2 win.
Messi's 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 clinches Inter Miami's thrilling win against Sporting KC ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/RtAsGbZfcX
— 433 (@433) April 14, 2024
In the 51st minute of the game, Messi’s rocket shot from afar soared into the upper right corner, giving Miami a 2-1 lead. However, Sporting retaliated quickly, with Erik Thommy notching his second goal in the 58th minute, equalizing the score.
The game’s turning point occurred in the 71st minute when a Sporting KC error paved the way for Miami’s Diego Gomez to assist Luis Suarez for the winning goal, sealing the victory for the visitors. However, Sporting was the team who struck first in the sixth minute with Thommy’s precise finish, but that time Miami was quick to respond, leveling the score in the 18th minute with a goal by Gomez.
Patrick Mahomes will definitely remember this game if he plays against the Miami Dolphins in the upcoming NFL season. The game displayed flashes of brilliance, including Messi’s near-goal from a menacing free-kick in the 41st minute.
