Hollywood icon Reese Witherspoon, who is also a co-owner of Nashville SC, had the privilege of presenting the game ball before the team’s Leagues Cup final match against Inter Miami on Saturday night.
The actress, wearing vibrant yellow and black sneakers to represent her team’s colors, was captured in a pregame photo alongside Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham.
The charismatic presence of Witherspoon added a touch of star power to the event.
She even shared a selfie with her friend Nicole Kidman, taken from the stands during the match.
At halftime, Witherspoon’s excitement might have been subdued as Nashville trailed 1-0 after Lionel Messi’s impressive goal for Inter Miami.
Despite Nashville SC’s eventual comeback to equalize the score, they ultimately faced defeat in a penalty shootout.
Reese Witherspoon, a Nashville native, became a part of the team’s ownership group in April 2022, along with media and technology investor Jim Toth and Tennessee Titans’ standout running back Derrick Henry.
This ownership trio came on board just days before Nashville Soccer Club inaugurated its new home, Geodis Park, where the final match took place.
Prior to the game, David Beckham, along with fellow Nashville co-owner NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo, made an appearance on the field.
Antetokounmpo, known for his towering height of 6 feet 11 inches, added a playful twist to the pre-match atmosphere by imitating Cristiano Ronaldo, the arch-rival of Lionel Messi.
This involved the iconic ‘SIU’ celebration, made famous by Ronaldo, after scoring an improvised free-kick goal from approximately 30 yards away.
Although Messi’s reaction wasn’t captured on camera, Antetokounmpo’s brother and teammate, Thanasis, responded with laughter.
The Antetokounmpo brothers, who hail from a sporting background as sons of a former Nigerian association football player, have embraced diverse paths in their athletic careers.
Giannis’ older brother, Francis, pursued a professional soccer career, while another brother, Kostas, is involve
d in basketball, playing for Istanbul’s Fenerbahçe – a club with a substantial history in Turkish soccer.
Despite his family’s strong soccer connections, Giannis Antetokounmpo had not attended a Nashville SC game until the Leagues Cup final against Inter Miami.
The match marked a special occasion for him, coinciding with Messi and Inter Miami’s appearance in the championship game.
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