The 2025 National Football League (NFL) season kicks off on Thursday, 4 September, and for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins it will be his 13th campaign. The 33-year-old South Carolina native and Clemson University product has enjoyed a sparkling career, with 984 receptions, 12,965 receiving yards and 83 touchdowns while playing for the Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Baltimore Ravens this year.
It is not often that an NFL star looks to the soccer world for inspiration, but Hopkins does just that. Throughout his career, he has worn jersey No10 as a tribute to Argentina superstar and FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ winner Lionel Messi. Amid his busy schedule, he still finds time to follow his favorite European clubs.
On the eve of a new NFL season, Hopkins met with FIFA to talk about his love for soccer, how Houston and Kansas City will be as FIFA World Cup 26™ host cities, his excitement at seeing Messi crowned world champion and whether the Argentinian could make the grade as an NFL wide receiver.
DeAndre Hopkins: I got into soccer because one of my best friends played at the University of Richmond in Virginia. We grew up doing everything together. I would be his goalie. He was an offensive player. We would just play all day. I didn’t have the chance to actually play soccer in the summer league and stuff like that. Also it came from playing the video game. I got to be a fan of the great Ronaldinho and some of the older guys and would watch YouTube highlights.
Yeah, that’s what drew me… that skill set. I was an athletic guy. I would play football in the backyard, juking people up, but I’m like, man, how can this guy do this dribbling with the ball? I tried to go out there and do it.
I would have probably been a goalkeeper. I would say my IQ is very high. Since I grew up playing quarterback, I feel like my wingspan and my sense of trajectory, where the ball should be, where it shouldn’t, stuff like that, would make me a good goalkeeper. Plus my hands, and I can kick pretty well. I actually wanted to try out in high school soccer, but the coach at the time said they had a goalkeeper who had been there three years and he wanted to keep it how it was.
Barcelona and Brazil. I always admired Brazil, the players on that team, not just Ronaldinho. I would also say Real Madrid. I was a Real Madrid fan. I like Germany. I feel like Germany always has a solid team and they have some of the best players. Lately though, I’ve kind of been on Arsenal. I used to be a fan of Man City, because I felt like they were underdogs, and then they started getting good, and I was like, ‘Alright, now I’ve got to find another team to watch.’ So lately I would say Arsenal. Max Dowman, the young 15-year-old player, I’ve been following him…
It’s his unorthodox play, his style, how he’s not a guy that’s vocal about who he is… Just everything about him, his whole energy and aura. I felt like he plays with an underdog mentality, even though he is one of the best, and that was similar to my game coming out of college. I feel like my style of playing and who I am is like Messi, so why not pay tribute and make my number like one of the best of all time.
Oh, for sure, wholeheartedly. With his footwork, I think he would have been a great receiver. I can’t say how long he would have played taking these hits that we take, but I think he definitely could have played.
Winning the World Cup with Argentina for me was it. I was tuned in the whole time. I felt like his team-mates wanted to win that for him. Obviously, it’s the World Cup and everybody’s playing their best, but it just seemed like everybody on the team knew that this was Messi’s chance to win the World Cup and they had to be perfect.
Oh, yeah, they were for sure. A lot of guys were, actually. This was Messi’s chance and I think people were just kind of anxious to see it. A lot of my friends were texting me because they know I’m a Messi fan.
It’s going to be amazing. The city of Houston has embraced all sports, not just soccer. That speaks to the city and the fan base there and its international culture. I still live in Houston. When Mexico plays, it seems like you’re in Mexico City. When Argentina plays, it feels like you’re in Argentina. The city is prepared for it. They’ve had Super Bowls there and big events, so I’m excited.
It’s absolutely beautiful. One of the best stadiums that is designed in America, because how [the roof] closes, how it retracts, also the field, the grass, how they prepare for different sports. Also, for where it’s located, which is close to the highway so people can get in and out.
What surprised me about Kansas City was how mixed it was with culture. I didn’t think that a Midwest city would have a Hispanic side or an Italian side, but they do, and it’s pretty cool. It’s definitely going to be a place where fans from all over get embraced by the people of Kansas City. The stadium is more than equipped for it. It has a beautiful atmosphere for sports. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be sold out because the people there definitely love and support all sports.
I want to go to Brazil. I want to catch a soccer game there and just experience Brazil in general. I hear it is a beautiful place, but if I’m there and there’s a soccer game, of course I’ll go.
For sure I will. I might be in Kansas City doing some business and might be able to catch a game, or in Houston as well. The offseason is so short, there’s not a lot of time, but my kids love soccer as well, so I think getting outside of Houston and taking a road trip would be a joy for them.
I think they’ll be embraced. Kicking has evolved to where anyone can come in. If you have a love for the game of football, we’re going to embrace you. Just do things right. Come in and work and obviously make field goals. I don’t think we care who it is or where they’re from. Just knock it down.
Photo courtesy of Baltimore Ravens
