Lionel Messi Labelled The ‘Biggest Box Office Hit In The Entire Athletic Sphere’

• Lionel Messi was in the conversation on the biggest box office attraction in sports
• A commercial featuring Messi was played in Super Bowl LVIII
• American sports analyst Pat McAfee is among those mesmerized by Messi

There is no denying Lionel Messi’s influence in the football world.

But where does the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner rank in popularity in other sporting disciplines?

The answer to that is relative, but American sports analyst Pat McAfee recently gave some powerful insight on how other sports fans view the former Paris Saint Germain star.

Since joining Inter Miami in the MLS last summer, Messi’s popularity has sky-rocketed, particularly among American fans.

He is no longer simply considered a ‘GOAT’ in football as many people regard him as one of the most influential figures in all of sport.

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McAfee’s take on Box Office stars in Sports

In a recent appearance on ESPN’s “First Take" McAfee discussed what was being termed as ‘Box office attractions’ in sports, to mean the individuals who commanded a huge following simply for what they have accomplished in the game.

Being American, McAfee typically cited quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who recently guided Kansas City to victory in Super Bowl LVIII.

On Sunday, Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in a thrilling encounter that went to overtime, per The Athletic.

While mentioning the biggest sports stars, McAfee named the likes of Roman Reigns, and also strongly suggested he started watching football because of Lionel Messi.

According to MacAfee, the term ‘Box Office’ in sports goes beyond one’s talents on the pitch and should also entail the individual’s value from a business point of view.

“When you think of box office, I guess you gotta start thinking in the combat sports world. It’s like, okay, Roman Reigns, obviously ‘The Tribal Chief’ has got a thousand-something says as champion,” he said.

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McAfee then mentioned Dwayne Johnson and Conor McGregor as other ‘Box Office’ stars, before breaking down why Messi was also in the conversation.

“Then you go over to the world of a man who has more followers than the population of the United States of America, a man who, I think the rest of the world would say is the biggest star on the earth and a man who got me actually to download an app to watch soccer. You think maybe Messi, maybe Messi’s the biggest box office hit in the entire athletic sphere,” he added.

What next for Messi?

Messi will continue to take the spotlight in America as he prepares to take on his first full season in the MLS.

The 2024 MLS season will kick off on February 21, with the opening game set to take place in Miami, with Messi’s side hosting Real Salt Lake.

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But before that, Inter Miami have a friendly match against Messi’s boyhood club Newell Old Boys on Friday, February 16.

Rodri questions Ballon d’Or integrity

Not everyone is a fan of Messi, apparently.

Sports Brief recently reported on Manchester City midfielder Rodri’s subtle dig at Messi over the Argentine’s latest Ballon d’Or win.

Messi beat Rodri’s teammate Erling Haaland to the award on October 30, 2023, with a large section of football fans saying the Norwegian was more deserving.