Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi
One throws no look passes and sidearm touchdowns for the Kansas City Chiefs. The other has spent two decades dribbling past defenders and collecting trophies for Barcelona, Argentina, and Inter Miami. Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi play different sports, but both are often called the best of their time.
They’ve also met. In April 2024, Messi brought Inter Miami to Arrowhead Stadium to play Sporting Kansas City, and Mahomes greeted him on the field. In February 2025, Mahomes called Messi the greatest of all time in his sport. Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi clearly respect each other.
This profile compares their ages, education, career timelines, trophies, earnings, and where each stands in 2026.
Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi at a Glance
| Patrick Mahomes | Lionel Messi | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Patrick Lavon Mahomes II | Lionel Andrés Messi |
| Born | September 17, 1995 | June 24, 1987 |
| Age (October 2026) | 31 | 39 |
| Birthplace | Tyler, Texas, USA | Rosario, Argentina |
| Education | Whitehouse High School; Texas Tech University | Barcelona’s La Masia academy |
| Sport | American football (quarterback) | Soccer (forward) |
| Current team | Kansas City Chiefs | Inter Miami CF |
| Top honors | 3 Super Bowls, 2 NFL MVPs | World Cup, 8 Ballon d’Or awards |
Early Life and Education
Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi both grew up around sports and showed huge talent early.
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes was born in Tyler, Texas, in 1995. His father, Pat Mahomes, was a Major League Baseball pitcher. Young Patrick spent time in big league clubhouses and was a star in baseball, basketball, and football.
He played at Whitehouse High School in Texas. He then went to Texas Tech University, where he played football and briefly baseball. He left after his junior season to enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Argentina, in 1987. He started playing soccer at a local club coached by his father and later joined Newell’s Old Boys.
At 10, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency. The treatment was expensive. At 13, Barcelona offered to pay for it, and his family moved to Spain. He trained at La Masia, Barcelona’s famous youth academy, which shaped his skills and his education in the game.
Career Timeline
Patrick Mahomes’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2018 | First season as starter; wins NFL MVP with 50 touchdown passes |
| 2020 | Wins Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl MVP; signs a 10 year, $450 million extension |
| 2021 | Reaches Super Bowl LV but loses to Tampa Bay |
| 2022 | Wins his second NFL MVP |
| 2023 | Wins Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl MVP |
| 2024 | Wins Super Bowl LVIII and his third Super Bowl MVP; meets Messi at Arrowhead |
| 2025 | Loses Super Bowl LIX to the Eagles; tears his ACL in December |
| 2026 | Returns for the new season; Chiefs start 5 and 0 |
Lionel Messi’s Career
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2004 | First team debut for Barcelona |
| 2005 | Wins the FIFA World Youth Championship with Argentina |
| 2008 | Olympic gold medal in Beijing |
| 2009 | Wins his first Ballon d’Or |
| 2015 | Wins his fourth Champions League with Barcelona |
| 2021 | Wins the Copa América; leaves Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2022 | Leads Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar |
| 2023 | Joins Inter Miami; wins his eighth Ballon d’Or |
| 2024 | Wins a second Copa América; plays at Arrowhead and meets Mahomes |
| 2025 | Wins MLS Cup and a second straight MLS MVP; signs through 2028 |
| 2026 | Reaches the World Cup final; Argentina loses 1 to 0 to Spain after extra time |
How They Met
On April 13, 2024, Inter Miami played Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs. More than 72,000 fans showed up, a record crowd for Sporting KC. Mahomes, who is part of Sporting KC’s ownership group, greeted Messi before the game, and photos of their hug went viral. Messi scored and assisted in a 3 to 2 Inter Miami win.
Before Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, Mahomes heard Messi planned to attend. He called Messi “the GOAT” and said Messi was “someone else that I can look up to and try to get on his level someday.”
Playing Styles Compared
Mahomes rewrote how quarterbacks play. He throws from odd angles, extends plays with his feet, and makes passes few others would try. He is famous for coming back late in big games.
Messi rewrote what a small player can do. At 5 foot 7, he uses balance, close control, and vision to beat defenders. He is both a top scorer and a top playmaker, with more assists than almost anyone in history.
| Trait | Patrick Mahomes | Lionel Messi |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Quarterback | Forward and playmaker |
| Signature move | No look and sidearm passes | Dribbling through crowds |
| Leadership | Vocal, team first | Quiet, leads by example |
| Big game record | Three Super Bowl wins in five years | World Cup, Copa América, four Champions Leagues |
| Rivalry | Josh Allen and other AFC stars | Cristiano Ronaldo |
Earnings and Business
Patrick Mahomes signed a 10 year extension in 2020 worth up to $450 million, then the largest in sports history. He has major deals with brands like Adidas, State Farm, and Oakley. He also owns stakes in the Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City, and the Kansas City Current.
Lionel Messi has been one of the world’s highest paid athletes for years. His Inter Miami deal includes a share of Apple’s MLS streaming revenue and an Adidas partnership. He has a lifetime deal with Adidas and runs businesses in hotels and clothing.
Personal Lives
Patrick Mahomes married his high school sweetheart, Brittany Matthews, in 2022. They have three children. Brittany is a co-owner of the Kansas City Current.
Lionel Messi married Antonela Roccuzzo, whom he has known since childhood in Rosario, in 2017. They have three sons: Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro.
Where Are They Now in 2026?
Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in December 2025 and worked to return by Week 1. He made it. The Chiefs opened the 2026 season 5 and 0, including wins over Denver, Indianapolis, Miami, Las Vegas, and the Los Angeles Chargers. He is 31.
Lionel Messi led Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final, held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. Spain won 1 to 0 with a goal in extra time. Messi thanked fans and congratulated Spain but did not announce his international retirement. He is back at Inter Miami, where his contract runs through 2028. He is 39.
Fun Facts
- Patrick Mahomes’s godfather is former MLB pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, a teammate of his father.
- Lionel Messi scored 91 goals in the 2012 calendar year, a world record at the time.
- Mahomes was a top baseball prospect and was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 2014, though he chose football.
- Messi is Barcelona’s all time top scorer, with more than 670 goals for the club.
- Messi has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, more than any other player in history.
Lessons From Their Careers
Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi show that creativity wins. Mahomes plays outside the usual quarterback rules. Messi plays outside the usual size and strength rules of soccer. Both also show resilience. Mahomes came back from a torn ACL to lead a winning start in 2026. Messi lost several big finals with Argentina before finally winning the Copa América and the World Cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi met? Yes. They met at Arrowhead Stadium on April 13, 2024, before Inter Miami played Sporting Kansas City.
Who is older? Messi is about eight years older. He is 39, and Mahomes is 31.
Did Argentina win the 2026 World Cup? No. Argentina reached the final but lost 1 to 0 to Spain after extra time.
What’s Next
Mahomes is chasing a fourth Super Bowl ring and hopes to stay healthy for a long run in Kansas City, where his contract runs into the next decade. Messi’s next steps are less certain. He has not said whether he will keep playing for Argentina, but he is signed with Inter Miami through 2028, giving US fans more time to watch him play.
Why People Compare Them
Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi are both creative geniuses who make the hard look easy. Both have won the biggest prize in their sport more than once, and both inspire kids all over the world. Their meeting at Arrowhead turned a fun debate into a real friendship of respect between Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi.
Key Takeaways
- Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi met at Arrowhead Stadium on April 13, 2024, and Mahomes has called Messi “the GOAT.”
- Patrick Mahomes was born September 17, 1995, in Tyler, Texas, and is 31. He played college football at Texas Tech.
- Lionel Messi was born June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, and is 39. He trained at Barcelona’s La Masia academy.
- Mahomes has three Super Bowl wins and two NFL MVP awards.
- Messi has won the World Cup, two Copa Américas, four Champions Leagues, and eight Ballon d’Or awards.
- In 2026, Mahomes returned from an ACL tear and the Chiefs started 5 and 0, while Messi reached the World Cup final and lost to Spain.
