Tom Brady might be one of the greatest NFL players of all time, but when he steps into the world of soccer (or football, depending on where you’re from), fans don’t always roll out the red carpet.
His latest comments on the future of U.S. soccer talent sparked a mix of laughter and eye-rolls across social media—and it’s easy to see why.
Brady’s Big Idea? America Needs Its Own Lamine Yamal
Appearing on the Men In Blazers podcast, Brady tried to address the state of U.S. soccer, throwing out what he likely thought was an insightful observation: America needs to develop a talent like Lamine Yamal or Lionel Messi.
That’s right—his take was that for soccer to thrive in the U.S., the country needs a teenage superstar. Groundbreaking? Not really.
The seven-time Super Bowl champ said, “We need a young phenom like a Lamine Yamal, a young Lionel Messi, to take over.”
He framed it as a cultural issue, noting that sports like American football, basketball, and baseball dominate schoolyards and media.
His hope? That a local soccer prodigy could ignite a cultural revolution across the States.
Fans Weren’t Impressed—and Some Just Laughed
Unsurprisingly, many fans weren’t exactly wowed by Brady’s so-called hot take.
Social media was quick to call him out, with one user mocking, “My boy Tom knows ball.”
Others pointed out the obviousness of the statement: “Every team in the world needs a player like Yamal, what’s new?”
To make matters more awkward, Brady even flubbed the rising star’s name, calling him “Yamine Lamal” instead of Lamine Yamal.
That slip-up didn’t go unnoticed and only added to the mockery.
A Touch of Irony: Brady’s Own Football Journey Isn’t Smooth Sailing
Brady’s voice in the soccer world has grown louder ever since he took a stake in Birmingham City back in 2023.
Stepping into an entirely different type of football, he became chairman of the club’s new advisory board.
But his first season didn’t go as planned—the club was relegated to League One.
Still, to Brady’s credit, the Blues bounced back in style last season, storming back into the Championship and winning the league by a whopping 19 points over Wrexham.
Not Brady’s First Controversial Comment in Football
This isn’t the first time Brady’s soccer-related commentary has stirred the pot.
Earlier this year, clips surfaced from the Amazon Prime docuseries Built in Birmingham: Brady and the Blues, where he voiced doubts about then-head coach Wayne Rooney.
After observing a training session, Brady admitted to being concerned about Rooney’s work ethic, telling his business manager in the car, “I’m a little worried about our head coach’s work ethic.”
Rooney was eventually sacked after just 15 games, adding more fuel to Brady’s credibility—or controversy—depending on who you ask.
What Now for Brady in the World of Soccer?
Brady’s transition from NFL legend to soccer club executive has been anything but smooth, and his recent comments haven’t helped his case as a credible voice in the sport.
While his enthusiasm for the global game is clear, fans are hoping he brings more than just surface-level commentary to the table.
And as for his dream of discovering the “American Messi”? Well, that’s something every soccer-loving nation wishes for.
It’s just not the kind of insight fans expected from someone in his position.