Giannis Antetokounmpo attends Nashville SC's soccer league title match against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami team and steals the show

Giannis Antetokounmpo entered a new sports "arena" Saturday night with greatness surrounding him when he attended his Nashville Soccer Club's match against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami CF.

While the Milwaukee Bucks' MVP wasn't suited up — though he might have wanted to — he was indeed one of the stars of the night and had the crowd on their feet when he took the field for some pregame fun and poked fun at Messi.

Antetokounmpo, who bought a stake into the Nashville soccer MLS team earlier this year, drilled a kick from so far away that some teams might be thinking about bringing him in for a tryout.

He had a spectacular celebration by leading a "SIU" chant, which legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who is one of Messi's biggest rivals, is known for.

Ronaldo captains a team in the Saudi Pro League and the Portugal national team.

Messi and his team got the final laugh as Miami won in a shootout over Nashville after the two squads tied in regulation to capture the Leagues Cup final.

Antetokounmpo, who was one of many celebrities and stars in attendance, chronicled his time in Nashville on social media.

"Whoo Nashville, we here, baby!" he said after exiting a jet with his brother Alex, who also owns part of the franchise with brothers Thanasis and Kostas Antetokounmpo.

"I can’t wait for the game. It’s gonna be a great game," said Giannis, whose business portfolio has grown significantly in recent years. "The energy is going to be amazing. It’s going to be the first time I’m rooting against Messi. Let’s get this. Let’s get it."

He certainly brought the energy when he was on the field.

With over 30,000 fans in attendance, Antetokounmpo praised the soccer fans in Nashville.

"Didn’t get the results we wanted but what a great atmosphere, @nashvillesc we will be back stronger and better than ever," Giannis wrote on Instagram.

Bucks teammate Bobby Portis responded to one of Antetokounmpo's Instagram posts with a reference to his appearance at a soccer match earlier this summer in Wisconsin.

Portis badly missed two kicks at an Madison FC game on July 20.

"Hope your kick was better than mine," Portis joked.

For reference, here was Portis' kicks.

Soccer is in Antetokounmpo's blood. His oldest brother played professionally, and his dad also played in Nigeria.

Antetokounmpo hasn't been shy about his passion for soccer this offseason, including Ronaldo's Saudi team.

Antetokounmpo and Portis turn in their soccer cleats for their basketball kicks in about a month when Bucks training camp opens for the 2023-24 season.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis throws shade at Messi with Ronaldo celebration in Nashville