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The Milwaukee Bucks player tried to get on the nerves of the Argentine ahead of Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup final against Nashville FC but ex-Barcelona star had the last laugh
Milwaukee Bucks superstar and Nashville SC minority owner Giannis Antetokounmpo had some fun at Lionel Messi's expense ahead of Sunday’s Leagues Cup final loss by emulating the Inter Miami star's biggest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo was hard to miss on the field before the championship game, doing television interviews and netting a free-kick from about 30 yards away.
To celebrate his impromptu goal, Antetokounmpo did the pirouetting 'SIU' celebration, popularised by Ronaldo. Cameras did not appear to catch Messi's reaction, but Antetoukounmpo's brother and teammate, Thanasis, responded with laughter.
The sons of a former Nigerian association football player, the Antetokounmpo brothers were born in Athens and grew up in Greece as the country's national team won the 2004 European Cup.
In fact, Giannis' oldest brother, Francis, has been a pro soccer player, while another brother Kostas, plays basketball for Istanbul's Fenerbahçe – the same sporting club that has won 28 Turkish soccer titles.
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But despite his family's fondness for soccer, Giannis had not attended a Nashville SC game until Sunday, when Messi and Inter Miami came into town to play for the Leagues Cup title.
“It's been an amazing experience,” Antetokounmpo told Apple TV before the shootout loss. “I haven't had the time to do enjoy it as much because, obviously, the season, and obviously I've been extremely busy with my kids, things that I do off the court, working out and getting better, but this was the only opportunity I could come and watch this game with my little brother.
“I'm happy that I'm here, I'm happy to come to a game which is this big,” he continued. “Having Lionel Messi, you know, playing against us, one of the best players to ever play this game, and probably this is going to be the first time in my life rooting against him. So, Nashville, we're gonna get this one.”
Afterwards, Antetokounmpo offered his support to Nashville SC fans online: “Didn't get the results we wanted but what a great atmosphere, @NashvilleSC we will be back stronger and better than ever.”
Giannis, a former NBA champion and MVP of the 2021 Finals, said he hopes Nashville players appreciate the opportunity they had on Sunday.
Giannis, along with NHL and Nashville Predators star Filip Forsberg, became Nashville SC minority owners in March.
He's one of several players with stakes in MLS teams, including Kevin Durant (Philadelphia Union) and James Harden (Houston Dynamo).
The match ended 1-1 in regulation time but Inter Miami won 10-9 on post-match penalties for their first trophy since their formation in 2018.
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