Despite Lionel Messi’s legendary global status and his recent move to Major League Soccer (MLS), his popularity in the United States still lags behind that of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, according to Fox Sports.
Although Messi attended Super Bowl LVIII in New Orleans to support the Chiefs, even his presence at one of the most-watched American sporting events hasn’t swayed the perception that Mahomes remains the dominant sports figure domestically.
While their influence globally might drastically differ, with the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final pulling in 1.5 billion viewers, the disparity in their U.S. appeal sparked debate when it comes to American sports.
“I’m going, Mahomes,” Steve Covino told Fox Sports Radio’s Covino and Rich Show. “It’s America’s game.
“There’s nothing bigger than American football in America. Worldwide, there’s no comparison whatsoever.”
His co-host, Rich Davis, agreed with the statement, but also suggested there could be a shift in sentiment among younger generations as soccer continues to boom within the United States.
The argument presented by Covino leans heavily on empirical data-namely, television ratings, as the NFL dominates the American sports landscape, despite a two-percent decline in the 2024/25 season.
Mahomes’ edge in popularity is also rooted in American cultural identity. Football is entrenched in U.S. traditions, from high school Friday night lights to the multi-billion-dollar Super Bowl spectacle.
Messi, despite his international fame and recent MLS move, still represents a sport that many Americans view as foreign, although this could change in the coming decades.
“If you ask 100 middle school and high school kids, ‘Hey kids, who do you want to come to the school,” Davis pondered. “Would they say Mahomes or Messi?”
“I feel like the younger generation puts soccer in that category [with football].”
Still, the hosts made it clear that neither athlete appears preoccupied with their celebrity rankings. Instead, both are focused on team achievements as they aim to craft their legacies as two greatest of all-time candidates.
And after considering up the arguments, Covino made sure he doubled down by branding Mahomes as the leading face of American sports, despite the rise of the MLS.
“Just based on that,” Covino concluded. “And the more and more it becomes an international game…
“He has the rest of the world, Messi does. There’s no denying, he is a mammoth outside of America… But I think Mahomes edges him out here.”
When is Messi’s next Club World Cup game?
Inter Miami kicked off the FIFA Club World Cup and enjoyed their debut in the prestigious competition, although they couldn’t secure a Game 1 win as they drew 0-0 with Egypt’s Al Ahly side.
They will next take on Portugal’s Porto on Thursday, June 19 from 15:00 ET/12:00 PT at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Georgia. Porto last won Europe’s UEFA Champions League in 2004.
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