The basketball world feared him, it’s now official… Giannis Antetokounmpo announced this Friday on Instagram his package with Greece for the World Cup of which he was to be one of the headliners. After several meetings with his medical team, the two-time NBA MVP said he’s not ready to compete at the level he needs to.
As expected, Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play the 2023 World Cup with Greece. The Milwaukee Bucks star explained on his social networks that his condition did not allow him to approach the competition with sufficient guarantees, despite his attempts to be physically ready. The Greek Freak had undergone knee surgery at the end of the regular season, a few weeks after his franchise was eliminated prematurely in the first round of the NBA playoffs by the Miami Heat.
Statement by Giannis Antetokounmpo
However, Antetokounmpo wanted to reaffirm his desire to play for the national team, with the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris in particular in sight: “ Everyone knows my passion and my love for the national team, that will never change. Since the end of the NBA season, I have pushed my body to the limit to be the player I need to be in order for our team to achieve its goals. After months of work and several points with the medical staff, it is clear that I am not ready to play at the level necessary to participate in the World Cup. It’s not a choice, but my only option to make sure I get back to the level of play I’ve worked so hard for in my career so far. said the Greek on his social networks.
Paris 2024 objective
“ I am extremely disappointed with this outcome, but I had to make this decision in agreement with the medical staff. I will continue to prepare myself to be ready the next time I am called. My personal goal, and our ultimate collective goal, is to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games and it will be an honor to represent my national team next year. It is therefore without its best player that Greece will try to do well in Group C, along with Team USA, New Zealand and Jordan.
