The winner of seven Ballon d’Or awards, Lionel Messi, met Nashville FC in the League Cup final after miraculously leading his team, currently bottom of the MLS rankings in his conference, to the final. He only joined the team a few months ago. Messi led the team to victory on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.
Co-owner of Nashville FC Giannis Antetokounmpo was present at the game between his club and the football legend David Beckham-own club in Geddis Park. Before the game started, Giannis entered the field and kicked the ball, followed by the characteristic celebration of Messi’s greatest rival and competitor, Cristiano Ronaldo. This action sent a message to Messi ahead of the game.
After the celebration, Giannis explained that it was the first time he would face Messi. “It will be the first time that I cheer for Messi” said Giannis. He then went on to compare the League Cup Finals to the NBA Finals, saying such moments are rare and should never be taken for granted as they may be the last in their careers.
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How did Giannis Antetokounmpo become a part owner of Nashville FC?
Kostas, Thansis and Giannis in Nashville FC jerseys (via USA Today)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is from Greece where football is very popular and his father was a professional footballer in Nigeria before moving to Greece for a better life. Giannis has always dreamed of owning a football club because it was the first game he fell in love with. When an opportunity presented itself, he took it.
On March 2, Nashville FC announced that the Antetokounmpo brothers – Giannis, Thanasis, it costsAnd Alex – have joined the franchise as minority owners. Giannis took the chance to support his team whenever he had the time. For example, when Messi signed for Inter Miami in June, Giannis invited him to play against his team.
Giannis isn’t the first player to become a part owner of an MLS franchise. James Harden invested in the Houston Dynamo while with the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant invested in the Philadelphia Union. Not only current players but also Hall of Famers like it Dwyane Wade have invested in teams like Real Salt Lake. When big NBA stars invest in MLS teams, it helps promote the teams because these players already have a large platform that benefits the teams they own.
Related: Iranian fans booed and whistled during the team’s national anthem as part of solidarity for the women’s protest ahead of the game against Wales at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
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2023-08-21 20:23:22
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