Basketball icon and owner of Nashville SC Giannis Antetokounmpo has marked his allegiance against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami with a Cristiano Ronaldo celebration.
In a spirited pregame celebration, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar channeled the energy of Cristiano Ronaldo by jubilantly imitating the renowned ‘siiuuu’ pose after kicking a ball.
Both Nashville SC and Inter Miami find themselves in the heat of competition, with the tantalizing prospect of winning their inaugural trophy. Saturday’s face-off will bestow the winner with the distinguished honor of capturing their first-ever Leagues Cup title.
But Giannis wasn’t the only celebrity caught up in the event. Reese Witherspoon, fellow owner of Nashville SC, was seen engaging with Inter Miami’s owner David Beckham before the game. However, it was Antetokounmpo’s celebration that took the fans by storm as they took to social media to react.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had to put his admiration of Lionel Messi to one side as his Nashville side clashed with Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final.
The Nashville minority owner appears to be a massive fan of Messi, 36. He confessed prior to Sunday’s (August 20) encounter that he hoped for the first time that the Argentine icon was on the losing side.
Antetokounmpo told Apple TV before the final at Geodis Park (via AlbicelesteTalk):
“Having Lionel Messi playing against us, this is probably the first time in my life rooting against him.”
Lionel Messi has wowed fans in the United States just months into his blockbuster move to Inter Miami. Unfortunately for Antetokounmpo, the legendary forward has taken his tally to 10 goals in just seven games as he opened the scoring in the final.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup winner has wreaked havoc in the Leagues Cup and has guided his Herons side to the final at Nashville’s stomping ground. He has quickly transformed Vice City’s fortunes as they were in dismal form before his arrival.
It’s difficult to not admire Messi given his extraordinary career that has seen him touted as the greatest in history. He is now making more history at DRV PNK Stadium
Lionel Messi was once again the star of the show for Inter Miamit as he spearheaded his side to the Leagues Cup after a thrilling penalty shootout against Nashville. The Argentina captain broke the deadlock with a stunning long-range strike in the first half, but his goal was canceled out by Fafa Picault after the interval, who slotted home from close range to restore parity.
With the scores level after 90 minutes, the game headed into penalties. Messi calmly slotted home his penalty to get Inter Miami up and running in the shootout and after 22 spot-kicks that saw just two misses, the game was decided 10-9 in favor of the away side.
By spearheading his side to victory, Messi got his hands on the 44th trophy of his career – and the first of his Inter Miami tenure – making him the most decorated footballer of all time.
