Kevin Hart shared that it was to meet soccer legend Lionel Messi.
At Fanatics Fest, Hart met soccer legend Lionel Messi, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, Travis Scott, Tom Brady, Novak Djokovic, and soccer stars Rio Ferdinand, Rodri, and Emiliano Martínez. Kevin Durant took the pic.
Hart reflected on meeting the soccer icon.
”That was my first time ever meeting (Messi),” Hart told USA TODAY. “He doesn’t speak English, so it was hello, and he gave it back to me in Spanish. So we definitely didn’t understand what each said to the other, but it was definitely a good meeting, a great introduction.”
Appearing at the World Cup for the first time, Hart described the experience as “breathtaking.”
“It’s all or nothing and there’s so much riding on these games for these countries. Because there’s a lot of, not just fanfare, but a lot of meaning, integrity,” said Hart. “There’s so much that goes into it.”
Along with loving the World Cup, Hart is set to drop his latest film, 72 Hours, on Netflix. Directed by his Ride Along collaborator Tim Story and based on a true story, the film follows Joe (Hart), a settled father of three who accidentally gets added to an email chain for a wild bachelor party trip. In an effort to prove he still has his edge, Joe crashes the weekend in Miami alongside a group of 20-somethings—played by an ensemble cast including Marcello Hernández, Mason Gooding, and Teyana Taylor. The move triggers 72 chaotic hours of unexpected debauchery.
Appearing on TODAY, Hernández spoke about working with Hart.
“I’m grateful to work with Kevin,” he said. “He’s a nice guy.”
Hart then spoke glowingly of Hernández.
“I got to witness this in real time. But he is exactly what you would think that he is,” Hart said. He added that his co-star did “an amazing job” hosting the 2026 ESPY Awards.