“I started [playing football] when I was two, and played until I was 14. Sometimes I wish that I were a footballer,” Odell Beckham Jr. said to ESPN back in 2016 when he visited Bayern Munich‘s training facilities. They say friends of your rivals are your friends and Beckham Jr. just embraced that saying in an intriguing way.

The Miami Dolphins wide receiver played host to two world champions, Vinicius Jr. and Eder Militao of Real Madrid. The trio shared a playful moment, captured in a series of Instagram photos, as they exchanged custom jerseys and celebrated their shared love for soccer.

Beckham Jr., fresh off signing a one-year contract with the Dolphins, welcomed the Real Madrid stars to Miami. In the snapshots, Odell dons a black Vinicius Jr. jersey, while the soccer duo proudly can be seen sporting custom Dolphins jerseys emblazoned with their names. The outdoor setting—a sun-kissed playground—adds to the casual yet significant encounter.

But there’s more to this story than jersey swaps. Odell’s heartfelt hug carries a deeper meaning. As a Bayern Munich fan, he expressed gratitude to Vinicius Jr. and Eder Militao for Real Madrid’s recent victory over bitter Der Klassiker rivals Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League. The 2-0 win on June 2, 2024, marked a triumphant moment for Real Madrid, and Odell’s gesture underscores the bond between athletes across different sports.

In the world of sports, Odell Beckham Jr. is a name synonymous with jaw-dropping catches and electrifying plays on the football field. But did you know that this NFL superstar almost went into soccer before putting on the cleats for the NFL?

Odell Beckham Jr. can’t take Soccer off his mind!

Beckham Jr’s soccer journey began long before he became a household name in American football. As a young athlete, he honed his skills on both the soccer pitch and the gridiron. His admiration for soccer legend David Beckham fueled his passion. In fact, Odell once revealed David Beckham as his childhood idol to ESPN.

But it wasn’t just admiration from afar. Odell Beckham Jr.’s soccer club coaches recognized his talent and extended an invitation to try out for a junior national team program. However, fate intervened. Balancing commitments between sports proved challenging, and Beckham Jr opted to stay stateside, where his star was rising in football.

Fast forward to today, and Beckham Jr. finds himself rubbing shoulders with another set of champions—Bayern Munich players. His visit to the German powerhouse in 2016 was more than a casual meet-and-greet. It was a celebration of shared passion. As he stepped onto the hallowed turf of the Sabener Strasse, the receiver’s eyes sparkled.

In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Beckham Jr. shared, “I like to play FIFA [the video game], and I have played many games with FC Bayern. It’s great to visit their training facilities. I am a FC Bayern fan.” His enthusiasm was palpable as he discussed tactics, admired the precision of Bayern’s passing, and even attempted a few soccer tricks. The camaraderie between football and soccer stars transcended borders.

Beckham, Jr. also owns a stake in Mexican soccer’s Club Necaxa and Major League Pickleball’s expansion franchise in Washington D.C. In this symphony of athleticism, Odell Beckham Jr. plays a unique note—a blend of football grit and soccer finesse. As he continues to make waves in the NFL, his heart remains divided between the gridiron and the pitch. So, the next time you see him making a one-handed catch, remember that somewhere in his soul, the echoes of “Mia san mia” resonate.