News
FRI 02.08.2024
Antoine Griezmann: An NFL pundit
Antoine Griezmann is a big fan of American sports, including American football. During the 2023/24 NFL season, he took that fandom to a whole other level by appearing as a guest pundit on Movistar, the broadcaster of the NFL in Spain. Furthermore, the Frenchman has his own podcast, called Grizi Huddle, where he discusses the latest developments from around the NFL.
Robert Lewandowski: The Polish striker who caught “padel fever”
Padel is one of the most popular sports in Spain and Robert Lewandowski has fallen in love with it since signing for FC Barcelona in the summer of 2022. He even signed up for a tournament called the Hexagon Cup. “Padel is the biggest sport in Spain after football and, since living and playing here, I’ve caught the padel fever,” he explained.
Diego Forlán: The Pichichi with a lifelong love of tennis
Diego Forlán, who was the Pichichi of LALIGA EA SPORTS in 2004/05 and 2008/09, actually preferred tennis over football as a youngster. It wasn’t until he was 12 that he decided to pursue a career in football, and he absolutely made the most of it. Now retired, the Uruguayan has returned to his first love, entering and winning matches in tennis tournaments for veterans.
Luka Modrić: Carlos Alcaraz’s guest of honour
Luka Modrić is also a big fan of tennis, and is often seen at the Madrid Open when the ATP tournament visits the Spanish capital each spring. The Croatian also travels to see the world’s top tennis players, and was a guest of honour of Carlos Alcaraz during the 2024 Wimbledon tournament which the Spaniard won. In addition to watching the sport, Modrić has also been spotted playing tennis and winning a charity tournament in Croatia.
Thibaut Courtois: The other golfer in the Real Madrid dressing room
Former Real Madrid player Gareth Bale famously played golf in his free time, but the Welshman wasn’t the only golfer at his club. “There are only two of us playing golf in the Real Madrid dressing room,” he once explained. “Thibaut Courtois is the other one who plays, but he's not better than me!” he joked.
Pepe Reina: A friend of Sergio García
Ex-Villarreal CF goalkeeper Pepe Reina is also an avowed fan of golf and has made appearances at charity tournaments and on golf-related television programmes. After rejoining Villarreal CF in 2022 he became close to Sergio García, a green jacket winner and the player with the most points in the history of the Ryder Cup. Through this relationship between Reina and García, the club even signed a collaboration agreement with the golfer’s academy. García himself is a great football fan; he is an honorary member of Real Madrid, the team he supports.
Santi Cañizares: A rally champion in Valencia
Another former LALIGA EA SPORTS goalkeeper who has a passion for another sport is Santi Cañizares, the Valencia CF legend. He loves the sport of rallying and has participated in several rally events in the Valencian Community and around Spain, even stepping onto the podium as a champion.
Vini Jr: Learning from the likes of LeBron and Giannis
Vini Jr is one of the best dribblers in the world, and he might have learned a trick or two from watching the athleticism on show in the sport of basketball. The Brazilian regularly attends Real Madrid basketball games, as well as NBA games when possible. Over the past few years, he has met several of the biggest basketball stars in the world, including LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum.
Asier Villalibre: A Formula 1 expert
Athletic Club striker Asier Villalibre is not only a fan of Formula 1, but he follows the sport so closely that he’s something of an expert. The striker attended the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix wearing Aston Martin gear, supporting his fellow Spaniard Fernando Alonso. There, he appeared in an interview with broadcaster DAZN, and displayed his knowledge during a conversation about flexi wings.
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