What did Lionel Messi say about NFL?

Lionel Messi has enjoyed a rare rest in recent weeks, taking some time to recover from a hamstring complaint that forced him off against Nashville. The Inter Miami captain opted against representing Argentina over the international break and hopes to be back in time for the CONCACAF Champions Cup game against Monterrey.

During this brief break Messi has appeared on the Big Time podcast and revealed his other sporting interests, away from soccer. Messi made his professional debut aged 16 and has spent two decades in the elite game but still has passion for other sports.

When asked for his favourite non-soccer sport Messi replied: “Tennis, padel, basketball, and also American football. I am learning a lot about American football and have come to understand it more and enjoying it.”

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We have previously seen the Argentine paying padel and basketball and his interest in tennis is no major surprise, but many will have been intrigued to learn that Miami Messi is getting into the NFL.

Lionel Messi’s growing interest in NFL

Perhaps it was inevitable. Within months of his move to the United States, Lionel Messi has developed a taste for the NFL. American Football remains the most-watched sport in the United States and the biggest Games boast a global audience that dwarfs most major events.

The biggest of big games is the Super Bowl, an annual sporting mega-event that draws attention in the United States like nothing else. Earlier this year Lionel Messi made his first appearance in the hallowed match, starring in a halftime commercial alongside Jason Sudeikis and Dan Marino.

Messi was enlisted for a commercial advertising Michelob Ultra, helping to introduce himself to the nation’s NFL-watching community. The Argentine reportedly bagged $14 million for his role in the 90-second ad.

His first public involvement with the NFL came in 2017 when he met four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski in Barcelona. The tight end visited the team’s Camp Nou stadium and spoke to ESPN about his meeting with Lionel Messi.

When asked for his favourite player, Gronkowski answered diplomatically: “I’m going to have to go with Messi. We just met him today, it was super cool at practice and we’re just having a good time. He can dribble so well and he’s so quick, it’s awesome.”