Football Over Futbol: Tom Brady Patriots Homecoming Beating Lionel Messi American Debut?

Tickets to the New England Patriots-Philadelphia Eagles Sept. 10 season opener - in which icon Tom Brady will be honored - are more expensive than even global soccer star Lionel Messi's American debut with Inter Miami.

Even in retirement, Tom Brady is more popular than the world's greatest soccer player. In a battle of GOATs in their respective sports, tickets to see the New England Patriots icon return to Foxboro are more expensive than even soccer legend Lionel Messi's much ballyhooed debut for Inter Miami.

Messi, who was named FIFA's "Footballer of the Year" for leading Argentina to the World Cup last December, is scheduled to play his first game in Florida on July 21. He is considered one of soccer's all-time best players and is one of the most recognizable sports figures in the world.

That said, his hype can't touch Brady. The quarterback who won six Super Bowls for the Pats is returning to Foxboro to be honored at the Sept. 10 season opener against the defending NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium.

According to multiple ticket brokers, the average ticket price for Pats-Eagles is a whopping $391. A ticket to Messi's first game against Mexican team Cruz Azul at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. is $307. Third on the list of most expensive sports tickets is the NFL's 2023 kickoff game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions, at $281.

Brady recently made headlines when fans witnessed him partying with Kylian Mbappe, the (almost) star of the 2022 World Cup final. Though a party the two attended included NBA legend James Harden, music sensation DJ Khaled and Travis Scott, Brady "twinning" with Mbappe became the attraction of the night.

---

Follow Richie Whitt on Twitter

Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here

More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.