Kim Kardashian has faced backlash after her eight-year-old son Saint had the privilege of walking out as Lionel Messi‘s mascot on Sunday. 

The reality TV star’s eldest son with ex-husband and rapper Kanye West held Messi’s hand as they walked out onto the field ahead of Inter Miami’s MLS clash against LA Galaxy.

The business mogul shared a clip of her soccer-obsessed son making his way onto the field with the legend to X, formerly known as Twitter.

‘Saint walking Messi out on the field tonight at the LA Galaxy vs Inter Miami game!!!’ the 43-year-old wrote. ‘He is living the absolute dream!’

However, the moment attracted criticism with many social media users accusing Kardashian of taking opportunities away from less fortunate children.

Saint walking Messi out on the field tonight at the La Galaxy vs Inter Miami game!!! He is living the absolute dream! pic.twitter.com/g6ZEy6ujYr

— Kim Kardashian (@KimKardashian) February 26, 2024

The eight-year-old held Messi’s hand ahead of Inter Miami’s 1-1 tie against LA Galaxy

‘Would be awesome if some kid actually deserving of it got that opportunity,’ one user posted. ‘Not someone who was incredibly lucky to be born to billionaires.’

‘Talk about privilege,’ another added in the replied to Kardashian’s post. ‘Hope he can kick the ball.’

Meanwhile, others suggested that Kardashian had paid for her son to have the opportunity.

‘Money can buy happiness. Debate closed,’ one wrote, while another added, ‘Tell the truth how much that cost.’

One account chimed in: ‘Whoever said money is not everything was lying. Even Messi can be bought.’

Others echoed their thoughts with comments such as, ‘What money can buy,’ and, ‘See what money does’.

However, others were quick to jump to Saint’s defense, insisting he is allowed to fulfill his dream of meeting his soccer hero just as much as any other child.

The reality TV star faced backlash for sharing a clip of the moment to social media

‘Saint is a huge soccer fan and has always loved it so much and that makes him extremely deserving,’ one posted. ‘You think having a family and resources that make that available and possible for him make him less deserving? That’s very myopic thinking.’

Another added: ‘Any kid who is a FAN is deserving! what are u even talking about? he’s a kid & a huge soccer fan. why would his parents finances make him any less worthy of this moment?? u make no sense.’

‘Why is he less deserving because his parents are rich?’ another asked as they hit back at the criticism.

‘That little boy just knows he loves soccer and that Messi is his hero. Just like any other kid his age with “normal” parents. This narrative is so tired.’

Kardashian has made no secret of Saint’s passion for sport – with the star branding herself a ‘soccer mom’ back in December. She shared a snap from her dinner at P. F. Chang’s, showing Saint’s, eight, soccer trading cards laid out on the table.

‘What dinner as a soccer mom looks like,’ she wrote on the snap. Among the collectibles was a 2022-23 Topps Merlin Chrome UEFA Ageless Alchemy card, featuring former Brazilian soccer player Roberto Carlos.

Kardashian has often been pictured attending her son’s games , and even took her ‘soccer obsessed’ offspring to a number of professional games last year.

For his eighth birthday, Saint celebrated his birthday with a soccer-themed party – with his cake in the shape of a larger-than-life soccer ball. Kim transformed the backyard of her $60 million mansion into a soccer player’s paradise.

Saint and his friends ran around the backyard which was filled with several bounce houses as well as setups that helped them work on their soccer skills such as kicking and goal scoring.

Kim has often been pictured attending her son’s, eight, games, and even took her ‘soccer obsessed’ offspring to a number of professional games this year; seen at his game in May

While Kim used to play football at school, her interest in the sport has been intensified by  Saint’s love for the game (pictured with Saint)

All of the party guests also received a unique gift – a white Adidas soccer jersey with ‘Best in the West’ on the front and Saint’s name and the number eight on the back.

Saint also paid tribute to his sporting hero Neymar on his birthday by getting a new hairstyle to imitate one of his favorite players.

In October, the youngster had his curly locks trimmed into Neymar’s signature mohawk before dressing as a ‘zombie’ version of the Brazilian player for Halloween.

Taking things a step further this month, Saint had the tops of his locks dyed bright blond to mimic the footballer’s signature style.