Sporting Spotlight: Matteo Rodriguez

By Sporting Kansas City

June 8^th, 2026

There’s a reason it’s called the beautiful game. Whether you call it soccer to football, this game unites and creates stories that connect us all. One of those stories is near and dear to Sporting Kansas City’s heart. Matteo Rodriguez is a name that has left a lasting impact on this club's heart.

Just weeks before his seventh birthday in August 2022, Matteo's life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A diagnosis that changed his and his family’s life. From being regulars on the soccer pitch, to regulars at the hospital, this time was difficult for the Rodriguez family. Yet in the middle of that chaos, Matteo still turned to soccer for comfort, watching his favorite team, Argentina, play created an escape in the darkest days. From playing Nintendo to watching Argentina be crowned the World Champions from his hospital bed, the beautiful game was there to lift his spirits.

In 2023, Matteo was honored as the Victory Project’s Gameday Honoree during Sporting KC’s game against Nashville SC. Before the game kicked off, a stadium full of fans chanted Matteo’s name, a sound so deafening and beautiful for all who attended.

Matteo was never far from Sporting; in 2024, he was nominated by his teacher to be a Kindness Champion during Random Acts of Kindness Week, where he received a 2024 Diamonds Our Forever Kit. Matteo was also Sporting KC II’s coach for a day, joining the second team for drills and training, fully decked out in coaching gear and a whistle.

In 2025, The Victory Project and Sporting KC representatives received the greatest invitation from Matteo; they got to join him as he rang his bell and celebrated being cancer-free in February 2025. There was nothing more special than being part of that joyous day.

Throughout his time with Sporting KC, the club quickly learned how much soccer means to Matteo, with his lifelong dream being of meeting his hero, Lionel Messi.

On June 3, The Victory Project and Sporting KC made that dream come true…

The reigning champions, Argentina, chose Sporting KC’s training facility as their basecamp throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026™, and with that decision, Sporting was able to realize a dream that had felt so far away.

Matteo and his family not only got to watch the team train, but they were also able to meet the team in the player lounge, and Matteo received a team-signed jersey. The cherry on top was meeting his idol.

Four years ago, Matteo saw his idol win the World Cup from his hospital bed; four years later, he met Messi in person and lived out his biggest dream. Soccer was and still is Matteo’s joy.

As he continues to play soccer and cheer on his favorite teams, he does so with the knowledge that his journey has inspired many. He may not remember those difficult days, but he carries with him the love and support he received from family, friends, and the entire Sporting KC community.

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