WATCH: Nashville FC part owner Giannis Antetokounmpo pays ‘wild’ Christiano Ronaldo tribute before locking horns with Lionel Messi and co.

Giannis Antetokounmpo honors Cristiano Ronaldo prior to a match between his soccer club and Messi's Inter Miami.

WATCH: Nashville FC part owner Giannis Antetokounmpo pays ‘wild’ Christiano Ronaldo tribute before locking horns with Lionel Messi and co.

L- Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images), M- Giannis Antetokounmpo (AP), R- Lionel Messi (CNN)

The winner of seven Ballon d’Or awards, Lionel Messi, faced Nashville FC in the finals of the League’s Cup after miraculously carrying his team, who are currently at the bottom of the MLS standings in their conference, to the finals. He joined the team just a few months ago. Messi led the team to a victory in penalties after the game ended 1-1 after extra time.

Nashville FC co-owner Giannis Antetokounmpo was in attendance during the match between his club and the soccer legend David Beckham-owned club at Geddis Park. Before the match started, Giannis took the pitch and kicked the ball, followed by the signature celebration of Messi’s biggest rival and competitor, Cristiano Ronaldo. This action sent a message to Messi before the game.

https://youtu.be/Dk-Bj_Gvl9I

After performing the celebration, Giannis stated that it would be the first time he would ever root against Messi. “It’s gonna be the first time I’m rooting against Messi,” said Giannis. He followed up by comparing the League Cup final to the NBA Finals, saying that such moments are rare and should never be taken for granted because they might be the last in their careers.

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How did Giannis Antetokounmpo become a part owner of Nashville FC?

How did Giannis become part owner of Nashville FC?
Kostas, Thansis and Giannis with Nashville FC jersey (via USA Today)

Giannis Antetokounmpo comes from Greece where soccer is very popular, and his father was a professional soccer player in Nigeria before moving to Greece for a better life. Giannis has always dreamed of owning a soccer club because it was the first game he fell in love with. When an opportunity came to him, he jumped on it.

On March 2, Nashville FC announced that the Antetokounmpo brothers – Giannis, Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex – have joined as minority owners of the franchise. Giannis has taken the chance to support his team whenever he has had the time. For example, in June, when Messi signed with Inter Miami, Giannis invited him to play against his team.

Giannis isn’t the first player to become a part-owner in an MLS franchise. James Harden invested in the Houston Dynamo during his time with the Houston Rockets, and Kevin Durant has invested in the Philadelphia Union. Not only current players but also Hall of Famers like Dwyane Wade have invested in teams like Real Salt Lake. When big NBA stars invest in MLS teams, it helps promote the teams because these players already have a big platform that benefits the teams they’re owners of.

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