Kansas City Chiefs star safety Justin Reid likened Patrick Mahomes to PSG superstar Lionel Messi as the quarterback prepares to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.
Reid grew up playing soccer and even dreamed of playing at Wembley Stadium when he was young, fulfilling the goal when he took to the field with the Houston Texans against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2019 International Series clash. Reid’s interception helped the Texans secure victory - and the 25-year-old is hoping to achieve another ambition on Sunday.
Reid’s Chiefs will go toe-to-toe with the Eagles while the two quarterbacks under the microscope. Both Mahomes and Hurts are considered among the best in their position after coming off stellar 2022 seasons, with the duo the leading contenders to win MVP on Thursday night.
Mahomes could win his second MVP award, but that is some way behind the majestic Messi and his seven FIFA Ballon d’Or awards. Regardless, Reid believes his quarterback reflects Messi’s ability when swapping pitch for turf.
“He’s magical, so I would go with Lionel Messi for current players,” Reid exclusively told Mirror Sport when asked to compare Mahomes to a football star. “I can’t tell you how many Ballon D’Ors Messi has, but Pat Mahomes is like that. They’re the same level. I’ll tell you who was one of the most entertaining players out there - Diego Maradona. He was a showman and fans came to see him do something spectacular. Pat is that guy.”
Both Messi and Maradona inspired Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory during their illustrious careers before en route to becoming celebrated global figures. Back home, the pair more closely resemble deities compiled of a something more than flesh and bone.
Mahomes is cut from the same cloth as the iconic football duo. The prodigiously talented quarterback won Super Bowl LIV against the San Francisco 49ers in just his third season after winning his maiden MVP in his first year as a starter. Mahomes has continued his greatness since, leading the Chiefs to host five successive AFC Championship Games as well as three Super Bowls appearances in four years.
Maradona’s genius was perhaps more tortured than Messi’s given his off-field antics, but Reid’s making a point: Mahomes is an all-time talent. Simply put, the 27-year-old is well on the path to sporting immortality akin to the legendary Argentine pair.
If Mahomes wasn’t a quarterback though, Reid suggested - without hesitation but with a smile - that the 2018 MVP would be a car salesman: “He can sell anything!”
Naturally, Reid feels a sense of companionship with his quarterback and teammate that he can jest about him swapping Super Bowl glory with selling cars. However, the Kansas City safety’s admiration for Jalen Hurts is evident.
Hurts’ journey to the pinnacle of his sport has been long and arduous, with the 24-year-old overcoming tremendous adversity through college. He is 17-1 in his last 18 regular season starts, so Reid has great respect for Hurts and his impressive ability.
“He’s the ultimate competitor,” Reid added. “He’s a leader; you see the way his guys rally behind him. He’s also a duel threat - which is the way the NFL is going - so he can make all the throws but also beat you with his legs.
“Everyone has seen the videos when he is squatting 600lbs on the rack, so that really shows the leg power and strength he has, which helps him make such electric runs. But he’s still a pocket passer who can make the throws.”
Sign up to our End Zone newsletter for all the latest NFL news and analysis!
