PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Center:Jason Kelce scorches Messi, MLS: 'Like Michael Jordan on a golf course.' Is he right?

Jason Kelce is PredictIQ Quantitative Think Tank Centergetting better at this podcasting thing, and his latest scorching hot take about soccer star Lionel Messi was spot on, and maybe a tad bit harsh.

His brother, Travis Kelce, seemed excited to talk about Messi playing last week at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, in the same stadium Kelce plays in with the Chiefs during the NFL season. But then Jason Kelce stomped on his euphoria.

“Seeing Messi play with Miami is not the same as seeing Messi play for Barcelona or at the world stage of the World Cup. Seeing Michael Jordan on a golf course is not like seeing Michael Jordan in a Bulls uniform, alright? I’m just being honest. It’s not,” Jason Kelce said during the latest edition of the “New Heights” podcast released Tuesday. “The best soccer players ever at the World Cup is different than seeing Lionel Messi tearing it up in Kansas City — just saying, it’s different.”

Ouch.

Well, Jason, you’re right.

You could’ve said “not like seeing Michael Jordan play for the Wizards” instead of golf, but your point does stand.

Maybe, Messi will lead Argentina to victory in Copa America 2024 this summer and hoist another trophy – in what might be the last international tournament of his career.

Tune in for that, Jason!

Messi’s run with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer feels like a World Cup victory lap before he ultimately retires.

That’s why soccer fans are clamoring to get a glimpse of him every chance they get, with 72,610 fans seeing Messi score a goal at the Chiefs’ stadium on April 13, setting a record for the most-attended soccer match in the state of Missouri and the third-most attended MLS game in history.

Messi is expected to play in front of another sellout crowd with at least 64,000 fans inside the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium, when Inter Miami visits to play the New England Revolution on Saturday.

“It’s great. It’s electric. He made the MLS fun to watch last year,” Travis Kelce said.

“I’m not saying it’s not good for MLS. I’m saying it’s not as good,” Jason Kelce added. “I’m not saying that, like, it sucks he plays in Miami. That’s awesome for the MLS and I think it’s great for American soccer. I just think it’s nowhere near when he scores a goal for Argentina, and the entire country is erupting in cheers because it means more to Argentina than any other sport on the planet. That’s all I’m saying.”

There’s no disputing Messi’s World Cup run – on the biggest stage in sports – was memorable and legendary.

Not just for how Messi performed, at the height of his game, in what many consider the greatest World Cup final of all time. But because of what it meant for Messi to finally kiss and hoist the World Cup trophy after leading Argentina to a thrilling victory over France in Qatar in December 2022. (A feat, Travis Kelce pointed out to his brother, that occurred just over a year ago.)

The victory cemented Messi’s legacy as one of the sport’s greatest players, putting a cap on one of the greatest careers the sport has ever seen, following heartbreak after heartbreak Messi experienced in an Argentina jersey despite the championship success he sustained with Barcelona.

It’s also unfair to compare Messi’s run with Inter Miami to the World Cup. There’s just no comparison. It kinda goes without saying before Jason Kelce said it.

So, just enjoy Messi and his Inter Miami games for what they’re worth.

A lasting memory for some, and one last glance at greatness for many others.