Lionel Messi is generally regarded as the greatest soccer player to ever do it. In addition to holding a slew of world records, Messi has won over his peers in the sport and those in other sports.
Messi was once again the center of attention at Super Bowl 59 when Tyreek Hill visited the living legend in a suite box in New Orleans. Hill bent down to chat with Messi’s son, Mateo — dressed in a black Patrick Mahomes jersey — and referred to his dad as the greatest of all time. Messi was laughing hard in the background as Hill muttered three words: “Met the GOAT.”
Tyreek Hill Meets Lionel Messi at Super Bowl 59
Hill was Mahomes’ teammate for five seasons in Kansas City where the two stars formed a lethal quarterback-receiver combination. They know a thing or two about excellence.
It was touching to see Hill and Messi share a moment celebrating each other’s greatness. Following the viral moment in the suite, Hill posted a video showing him and Messi embraced in a hug at Super Bowl 59. Both superstar athletes were all smiles.
Making matters better for Hill was Mateo’s reaction to the scene. When asked who his favorite football player is, well, Mateo didn’t disappoint by saying Tyreek Hill.
🎥 Tyreek Hill linking up with Lionel Messi at the Super Bowl. (@cheetah) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/lPM0mHqBNO
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) February 9, 2025
Considering Mateo was wearing a Mahomes jersey during the interaction, the internet was ripe with the opinion that Mateo was lying to Hill, playfully appeasing him by stroking his ego.
Messi Spent Time With Patrick Mahomes’ Family
Hill wasn’t the other guy spending some quality time with the GOAT. Messi was seen visiting Mahomes’ younger sister, Zoe, at Super Bowl 59 and bringing her to tears.
The younger Mahomes called meeting Messi a “dream come true” in her Instagram post, and that seems appropriate with her emotional reaction.
Unfortunately, her brother’s game was anything but a dream as the Chiefs lost to Philadelphia 40-22. Mahomes finished 21 of 32 for 257 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Meeting the GOAT: Messi Has Legendary Soccer Legacy
GOAT discussions happen in all sports, and Messi is widely considered the greatest soccer player ever. The 37-year-old star debuted for FC Barcelona at 17 and stayed there for 17 years.
While with Barcelona, Messi built his GOAT legacy by accumulating nearly every championship and individual recognition he could. He won La Liga 10 times, the Copa del Rey tournament seven times, and the UEFA Champions League (club soccer’s most prestigious competition) four times in his run at Barcelona.
He’s won the Ballon d’Or trophy a record eight times. The “Golden Ball,” awarded since 1956, honors the player of the year in international soccer. It’s the highest individual honor a soccer player can accomplish — and Messi has three more than his closest competitor.
Messi has also had success playing for the Argentina national team. His country has a rich soccer heritage, and he brought the World Cup home in 2022.