Joel Embiid is indeed a gifted basketball player. The Philadelphia 76ers big man has a tall 7-feet frame and strong build, which was enough for him to win the MVP award. However, this magical physique put an end to the star’s soccer. The Cameroonian baller, in a recent interview, revealed his love for soccer and also told why he would rather be the ‘best’ soccer player than a basketball player.

Before setting out on his journey to represent Team USA in the Paris Olympics, Joel Embiid participated in a candid interview. Featuring in the first episode of The Check Ball Show, the star relaxed on his Las Vegas hotel couch, as the hosts fired him with questions. Interestingly, the big man had a soccer ball in his hand and not a basketball.

Halfway through the podcast, one of the hosts pointed out the soccer ball and asked, “You’re holding a soccer ball, if basketball wasn’t a thing, you grew up playing soccer? Was that ever an option?” Embiid immediately responded, in a regretful tone, saying, “I got too tall. Those guys are those guys are too good. I think I got lucky with basketball.” Then Sixers star himself broke into an interesting statement to stress how much soccer meant to him.

Joel Embiid continued, “You know a good question? People have asked me that what would I rather be the best soccer player or the best basketball player.” The 30-year-old responded to his own question, saying, “Is not even close, best soccer player. Not even close.” And, it end there, as the hosts wanted to know the reason behind it.

The star said, “That’s my favorite sport. In Cameroon and in Africa in general, when you get out of your mom’s belly or whatever like that’s the sport.” Moreover, he also admitted that he was good at the game.

Is Joel Embiid better than Ronaldo and Messi?

It will turn into an embarrassment to even utter a statement like that. But the Sixers star actually did. Before talking to the Check Ball Show hosts, Embiid has already spoken about his love for soccer Men In Blazers podcast. Even then, he spoke about his soccer dream. He added, “I always wanted to be a striker, but I was just way too big… I was more physical and people were actually scared of me because I would just make some move and act like I’m going to kick you in the foot, and everybody would be scared.” 

The hosts didn’t want to leave Embiid to get too comfortable, so they jumped the gun with a tricky question. They asked him if he was better than Ronaldo and Messi in an alternate universe. The big man, without blinking his eyes, said, “Yeah, for sure. I would have been.”

Nevertheless, these instances prove the Cameroonian’s love for soccer. Notably, Embiid even featured on the CBS panel ahead of the UEFA Champions League Finals. He picked Real Madrid to win the Finals against Dortmund and he wasn’t wrong, as the Madrid side went on to win its 15th title. Will Joel Embiid try his luck at Major League Soccer? Let us know in the comments.