Patrick Mahomes was spotted with a sports icon in a recent event appearanceCredit: Getty

In a moment that sent sports fans into a frenzy, two of the biggest names in global athletics—Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and soccer legend Lionel Messi—came together in Los Angeles for a star-studded Adidas event kicking off the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The gathering at BMO Stadium wasn’t just a promotional stunt; it was a celebration of athletic excellence, shared ambition, and the universal language of sport. With the iconic World Cup trophy gleaming in the spotlight, Mahomes and Messi stood side by side, representing the pinnacle of their respective fields and hinting at exciting possibilities for their futures—both on and off the field.

The event, held on April 1, 2025, marked a significant milestone in the buildup to the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Adidas, a longtime sponsor of both Mahomes and Messi, pulled out all the stops, bringing together a roster of sporting royalty that included former soccer greats Jürgen Klinsmann and Alessandro Del Piero, as well as FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The World Cup trophy, currently held by Messi’s Argentina team after their 2022 victory in Qatar, took center stage as it embarked on a global tour to drum up excitement for the upcoming tournament. For Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and Messi, widely regarded as soccer’s greatest-ever player, the event was a chance to bridge the worlds of American football and soccer in a way that captivated fans across both sports.

The three-time Super Bowl MVP has put plenty of investments in the legend’s sportCredit: Getty

Mahomes, 29, shared the moment with his followers on social media, posting a photo of himself and Messi standing on a field with the World Cup trophy between them. His caption was simple yet powerful: “World Cup Kick-off with @adidas.” The image quickly went viral, sparking a wave of reactions from fans who couldn’t believe two titans of sport were sharing the same stage. For Mahomes, the encounter wasn’t just a photo op—it was a full-circle moment. The Chiefs star has been open about his admiration for Messi, recalling a previous meeting in April 2024 when he was so nervous he could barely muster a coherent greeting. “I just met Messi the other day, I was so nervous,” Mahomes admitted on the ImPaulsive podcast last year, describing how he fumbled his words before wishing the soccer icon good luck ahead of an MLS match.

That first meeting took place at Arrowhead Stadium, where Mahomes, a part-owner of Sporting Kansas City, watched Messi’s Inter Miami take on the local MLS side. Fast forward to 2025, and the nerves seemed to have faded. At the Adidas event, Mahomes appeared confident and at ease, soaking in the opportunity to connect with a player whose career has inspired millions. The feeling was mutual—Messi, who attended Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to support Mahomes, has spoken about his growing appreciation for American football since moving to the U.S. in 2023. “I’m learning a lot about American football, getting to know it better, and loving it,” Messi told the Big Time Podcast in 2024, a sentiment that made their latest reunion all the more meaningful.

The Adidas event wasn’t just about star power; it also offered a glimpse into Mahomes’s ambitions beyond the NFL. As a co-owner of Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Current, a women’s professional soccer team, Mahomes has already invested heavily in soccer’s growth in the U.S. His involvement in the sport extends to his personal life as well—his wife, Brittany Mahomes, was a standout soccer player in college and briefly played professionally in Iceland. The couple’s passion for the game has fueled speculation that Mahomes could be eyeing a bigger role in soccer after his playing days are over. Some fans even interpreted his appearance alongside Messi as a subtle hint that he might one day pursue ownership of an international soccer club, perhaps in Europe or South America, where the sport’s global reach could amplify his already massive influence.

For now, Mahomes remains focused on his NFL career, despite coming off a tough Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in February 2025. The 40-22 defeat, in which he was sacked six times and threw two interceptions, was a rare low point for a player who’s used to defying the odds. Yet, his appearance at the Adidas event showed he’s not dwelling on the past. Instead, he’s embracing new opportunities to expand his brand and connect with other athletes who share his drive for greatness. Standing next to Messi, a 37-year-old who’s still scoring goals for Inter Miami and eyeing another World Cup run in 2026, Mahomes looked like a man inspired to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

The event also highlighted Adidas’s knack for uniting its top athletes to create moments that resonate far beyond the sports world. Mahomes, who joined the Adidas family in 2017, has his own signature line of apparel and footwear, much like Messi, whose lifetime deal with the brand has produced iconic boots and clothing collections. Their shared connection to Adidas made the World Cup kickoff a natural fit, but it was their mutual respect that stole the show. Fans on social media couldn’t get enough, with one X user writing, “Mahomes and Messi together? This is what dreams are made of!” Another joked, “Two GOATs in one photo—my phone just overheated.”

As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, Kansas City will play a prominent role, with six matches scheduled at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mahomes, a proud ambassador for his hometown, is likely to be a visible presence during the tournament, whether as a fan, investor, or both. For Messi, the event was a chance to relive the glory of Argentina’s 2022 triumph while looking ahead to the possibility of defending their title on North American soil. The question of whether Messi will play in 2026 remains unanswered, but his appearance alongside Mahomes sent a clear message: he’s not ready to step away from the spotlight just yet.

In the end, the Adidas World Cup kickoff was more than a promotional event—it was a celebration of what makes sports so special. Mahomes and Messi, though separated by sport and continent, share a relentless pursuit of excellence that transcends boundaries. Their meeting in Los Angeles was a reminder that greatness recognizes greatness, and when two legends come together, the world takes notice. As the countdown to 2026 continues, fans can only hope for more moments like this—where the best of football and fútbol collide in a spectacle that leaves us all in awe.