June 01, 2017
Joel Embiid ... soccer legend?
The Sixers center has been invited to take part in a friendly match between a bunch of former European soccer stars (and fellow NBA-er Carmelo Anthony) prior to Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus in Cardiff, Wales.
Former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder Luis Figo, ex-Juventus star David Trezeguet and Brazil legend Cafu are among those in the squads.
Real Madrid great Emilio Butragueno and Dutchman Ruud Gullit are the managers.
The match kicks off at 16:00 BST ahead of the final between Real Madrid and Juventus at the National Stadium of Wales on Saturday. [bbc.com]
Embiid will suit up for Gullit, while Anthony will play for Butragueno. But according to the Sixers, the 7-footer will just be attending, not playing. Embiid missed the last two and a half months of the season with a knee injury, so if were hesitant about seeing the seven-footer out on the pitch, you can rest easy.
Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Joel running with Trezeguet up top, but I hope, for the sake of Philadelphia, that he plays 0 minutes
— Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) June 1, 2017
Here's a look at the sides:
Gullit All-Stars
Vítor Baia (GK), Cafu, Ciro Ferrara, Steffen Freund, Patrik Andersson, Dejan Stankovic, Youri Djorkaeff, Robert Pires, Marcel Desailly, Ian Rush, Ryan Giggs, Fabrizio Ravanelli, David Trezeguet, Gianluca Zambrotta, Eric Abidal, Marco Materazzi, Jeremy Lynch (freestyler), Clint Capela, Joel Embiid
Butragueno All-Stars
David James (GK), Michel Salgado, Celestine Babayaro, Roberto Carlos, Gaizka Mendieta, Luis Figo, Predrag Mijatovic, Patrizia Panico, Davor Suker, Luis Garcia, Rai, Clarence Seedorf, Christian Karembeu, Steve McManaman, Deco, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Adidas Young Champions: Carmelo Anthony, Billy Wingrove (F2 freestyler), Juan Hernangomez
If Embiid was to play, where might Gullit put the big man from Cameroon? Let's check in with our resident soccer expert, Kevin Kinkead:
Joel Embiid, target forward pic.twitter.com/sLvdsmqPCD
— Kevin Kinkead (@Kevin_Kinkead) June 1, 2017
Even though he won't be playing in the game, Embiid's personality alone should make for a fun addition to the friendly match. The big man is a huge soccer fan who is constantly tweeting about Euro matches.
I think it's safe to say that Embiid's going to be more in awe of the soccer legends than they will of him.
Follow Matt on Twitter: @matt_mullin
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