Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Giannis Antetokounmpo arrived in Miami to join the NBA’s Heat on Thursday, taking inspiration from Lionel Messi, a sporting legend who launched his own new chapter of success with a move to South Florida.
Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA Most Valuable Player from Greece who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the 2021 title, said Messi was the kind of player — like LeBron James — who produced the “blueprint” for sporting greatness.
“You’ve just got to follow,” he said. “It’s hard. You have to be disciplined. You have to be dedicated to your craft. But it’s there. And if you want to follow, you follow. If you don’t want to follow, you go home.”
Antetokounmpo watched Messi and Argentina book their place in the World Cup final with a victory over England on Wednesday in Atlanta.
