With the 2026 World Cup in full swing, Formula 1 has welcomed a parade of football legends, highlighting ten World Cup winners who have appeared at Grand Prix weekends. The feature notes how each star’s visit adds a touch of football glamour to the racing world.
Lionel Messi toured the Mercedes garage at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix and met drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, while earlier appearances saw him greet Alpine’s Franco Colapinto. Pele waved the chequered flag at the 2002 Brazilian GP and later presented Michael Schumacher with a career trophy in 2006. Kylian Mbappé flagged Charles Leclerc’s home win in Monaco 2024, and Ronaldo posed with Rubens Barrichello in the Monza pits in 1999 before attending Abu Dhabi and Imola as a Red Bull and Ferrari guest. Diego Maradona met Schumacher and Niki Lauda at Monaco 1995, Zinedine Zidane took part in Alpine’s 2023 car launch and the 2024 Miami sprint trophy ceremony, and Mario Götze swapped shirts with Nico Hulkenberg at Monaco 2026. Alessandro Del Piero waved the flag for Ferrari’s 2024 Italian GP victory, Roberto Carlos was in the paddock at the 2025 Spanish GP, and Sergio Busquets watched Lewis Hamilton’s first Ferrari win at the 2026 Barcelona‑Catalunya race.
These cross‑sport appearances underscore the shared global appeal of football and Formula 1, and suggest both organisations will continue leveraging each other's fan bases as the 2026 World Cup draws worldwide attention.
