In a Paris Saint-Germain shirt and Mbappe's celebration: NBA star shows off his skills in a football match

2026 NBA Finals - Game Five

Widespread interaction on social media platforms

Away from the basketball courts and the grind of pre-season, French star Victor Wembanyama spent his summer holiday rather differently. He showed off his love of football in a striking appearance that lit up social media.

Turning out in a friendly match in the American city of Houston, Wembanyama wore a Paris Saint-Germain shirt. The videos of his skills soon spread across social media and sparked plenty of interaction.

The San Antonio Spurs player, who stands 2.24 metres tall, took part in the match at the "Katy Sports Complex". There, he surprised onlookers with his technical touches, an unexpected sight from one of the NBA's brightest stars.

According to Le Parisien, Wembanyama scored twice during the match. One was a powerful right-footed strike, which he celebrated by crossing his arms over his chest in the style of French star Kylian Mbappé. He also pulled off some eye-catching individual skills, including the "roulette" turn.

Applause followed him off the pitch. Fans rushed to grab photos and videos, and several posed with him for commemorative snaps.

The appearance comes just days after Wembanyama extended his contract with the San Antonio Spurs for five years, a deal estimated to be worth around 220 million euros.

His football cameo aside, Wembanyama is in Houston to keep working on his basketball. For the second year running, he is training with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, a two-time league champion.

Football has long been a passion of his. Wembanyama attended the 2026 World Cup final, won by Spain, and last summer he played in a friendly in Tokyo, where he scored from a direct free-kick.

The France basketball captain is expected back with Les Bleus at the end of next August. He will play two friendlies against Serbia before resuming the qualifying campaign for the 2027 World Cup.