Fans Slam Kim Kardashian For Buying Son Role As Personal Mascot For Lionel Messi

In the world of soccer, the term “mascot” is a bit different than how you’d traditionally see it used in the U.S.

Instead, the term refers to the young children often seen escorting players onto the field before the match.

So when fans saw that Saint West, the son of pop culture stars Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, was the personal mascot for Lionel Messi in his 2024 MLS debut against the Los Angeles Galaxy, it raised some questions.

So, how are these mascots chosen and how did Saint West just happen to end up alongside the world’s most-famous player?

The tradition is actually fairly new, having begun either in the late 1990s or early 2000s. Some clubs offer the experience for free to junior fan club members. While others charge massive amounts for the right to do so.

Typically, teams will choose players from their club’s youth academy. Or, if a local youth club is attending the game, those players will escort the MLS players onto the field. Other times it will part of a partnership with a local charity or youth organization.

But not this time around.

This time, Kardashian clearly spent whatever if must have cost to get her son the opportunity of a lifetime. And fans were not happy about it.

“Would be awesome if some kid actually deserving of it got that opportunity. Not someone who was incredibly lucky to be born to billionaires,” one person replied to Kardashian.

“This is a strange line to draw but this shouldn’t be for rich people’s kids. This should be for kids who’s life might actually be influenced by this experience,” said another.

Although some others defended Kardashian.

“People mad at this are pathetic. If you could do it for your kid you all would if that’s what they wanted. Kim can and she did,” one fan replied.

It’s hard to argue with that point. Though it’s still a pretty rough look for all sides involved.