Last Updated: August 20, 2023, 11:23 IST
Giannis Antetokounmpo did a Cristiano Ronaldo-like celebration (X)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nashville SC’s minority owner, did the Cristiano Ronaldo Sui clebration before Lionel Messi helped Inter Miami win the Leagues Cup final.
It turns out that two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has a deft scoring touch on the court — and the pitch. Antetokounmpo, a minority owner of Nashville SC of the MLS, was on the field Saturday night before the start of his team’s Leagues Cup final against Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami, playfully taking shots on goal.
Antetokounmpo, who purchased a stake in the club in March, delighted the fans by burying a shot from distance and emulating the goal celebration of another superstar from the world of football, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 7-foot, “Greek Soccer Freak,” who has scored more than 16,000 points in his NBA career, found the back of the net with a shot from near midfield. He sprinted toward the middle of the pitch, jumped and hit the landing while thrusting his arms out at his hips. He repeated the celebration a second time.
Antetokounmpo’s father, Charles, was professional football player in Nigeria.
Other Nashville SC minority owners include actress Reese Witherspoon, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, and Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg.
Antetokounmpo is not playing for Greece in the Basketball World Cup as he recovers from left knee surgery earlier this summer.
Messi Has The Last Laugh
Inter Miami beat Nashville SC after a 1-1 tie was settled by a marathon 10-9 penalty shootout, as Lionel Messi extended his winning streak since joining the MLS side to seven games.
Messi opened the scoring in the 23th minute, notching his 10th goal of the inaugural tournament with a blistering shot from distance past multiple defenders and into the top left corner of the net.
Nashville’s Fafa Picault leveled for the home team in the 57th minute and both teams came agonizingly close to taking the lead in the rollercoaster second half.
In the shootout, Nashville goalkeeper Elliot Panicco missed the final kick of the night to deliver Inter Miami, who joined the league in 2020, their first trophy. The trophy is Messi’s 44th, the most by any player. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was named player of the tournament, which includes teams from MLS and Liga MX.
(With inputs from Agencies)
