Manchester City won the Premier League for the fourth year in a row as the team beat West Ham in a 3-1 victory today. None other than NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo took to Instagram to congratulate Man City’s star player Erling Haaland on the win. A big football fan, Giannis sent out his regards to Haaland’s commendable performance this season.

In the video, he also congratulated Haaland on winning the ‘Golden Boot’ for the second consecutive year; an award given out to the season’s leading goalscorer. The Milwaukee Bucks player also unboxed a gift sent over by Erling; a pair of Phantom Force 9s, Haaland’s signature shoe with Nike.

Giannis Antetokounmpo congratulates Erling Haaland on Man City win

In a very warm and heartfelt video, the Bucks player congratulated the Man City player on his team’s victory and his achievements this season. “This is Giannis here. Erling, I just want to say congratulations on another amazing season. You’ve been incredible winning the Premier League again. Also winning the Golden Boot, that’s unbelievable. Keep on, keep on, keep on getting better. I love the mentality that you have. You always go out there and try to do whatever is best for your team to win. And I just love watching you play,” he said.

Clearly, Giannis holds a lot of respect and admiration for his fellow athlete and these feelings are definitely mutual. Erling gifted a pair of Nike Phantom Force 9s, a shoe from his signature line. Giannis jokingly said, “Nike loves me, huh?” He added, “Hopefully this year we can catch up and you can sign these for me.” 

In addition to helping Manchester City win another league title, Haaland’s outstanding season earned him the prestigious Golden Boot as the Premier League’s top scorer. The player scored a whopping 27 goals this season. His performance has been greatly appreciated by fans, globally and especially Giannis, as evident in the Instagram video. This is not the first time Giannis has discussed football, the player has a passion for the sport.

Giannis’ love for soccer

Giannis’ passion for the sport traces back to his family. Soccer played a significant role in the Antetokounmpo household since his father, Charles, was a soccer player. He started playing when he was 13; an effect of which can be seen on his career decisions outside of basketball. In March 2023, Giannis along with his brothers Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex, joined the ownership group of Nashville SC, an MLS team. In an interview with CBS Sports, he said, “I always had a dream of having a football team. When my brothers and I scouted Nashville SC, we knew it was a team and a city we wanted to be involved in.” 

In a video posted by him last year, he was seen showing off his skills. With hands in his pockets, he managed to keep control of the ball quite effortlessly. “497 498 499 500 Saudi Pro League still need strikers?!,” he wrote. Undoubtedly, the caption’s reference has to do with the recent wave of players who have joined the Saudi Pro League.

A post on Aresnal’s official account cleared up questions about Gianni’s favourite soccer team. He said, “I used to watch a lot of football when I was growing up. My dad was a football player and football was our life. I started playing basketball when I was 13.” He continues, “My favourite team used to be Arsenal and my favourite player used to be Thierry Henry. I am an Arsenal fan but I like PSG when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was here on the team. Deep down I am still an Arsenal fan.” Giannis is not to be mistaken as a causal fan of the sport.

He even got the chance to visit Paris Saint-Germain’s stadium with his Bucks teammates in 2020. The team hosted the Milwaukee Bucks while they were in Paris. “I had the opportunity five years ago to go to Chelsea’s stadium and when they told us we were going to PSG’s stadium yesterday I was like, ‘I’m going’ -hopefully I have the chance to meet some of the players, Neymar, Mbappe and the other guys,” he said about the experience.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s passion for soccer is highly endearing. A natural athlete, Giannis is skilled at mastering the ball. His love for the sport is reflected in his personal experiences, his career choices and his active engagement with the sport. Soccer is a defining aspect of his personality beyond the court.