The Miami Beach Convention Center became a meeting point between elite football and international padel during the Premier Padel P1, where two football stars, Thiago Alcantara and Paul Pogba, showed up as VIP guests to enjoy the round of 16 matches.

Both players, with brilliant careers at clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Juventus, and Manchester United, watched the action from the stands. Padel, a fast-growing sport, has become a new passion for many retired football legends — and Thiago Alcantara is now one of its most devoted fans.

The growing bond between football and padel

In recent years, the connection between both sports has only strengthened. Former players like Carles Puyol, David Villa, Javier Saviola, Gabriel Batistuta, and Diego Forlán have embraced padel after hanging up their boots, and Thiago Alcantara has now joined that list.

Thiago’s new love after football

The Spanish-Brazilian midfielder expressed his excitement for the sport: “It’s fast, dynamic, and so much fun. Since retiring, I’ve been playing almost every day. It’s become a real passion,” he said. He also believes padel has a bright future in the U.S.: “The weather here is perfect, and Americans love sports, they’re competitive and open to learning. Padel will surely grow fast here.”

Pogba, a curious and supportive spectator

While he did not make any public comments, Paul Pogba’s presence alongside Thiago caught fans’ attention. The 2018 World Cup champion has previously attended various sporting events, and his growing interest in padel aligns with a broader trend among elite athletes.

Champions League nostalgia for Thiago

During his time in Miami, Thiago also shared thoughts on the current European football season, especially about his former club FC Barcelona: “They’re definitely among the favorites to win the Champions League. If they meet Inter Milan in the semifinals, it would be a historic rematch — not quite like the one 15 years ago between Guardiola and Mourinho, but still special.”

Star-studded guest list in Miami

Other sports icons were also present at the event, including tennis star Caroline Garcia, former world No. 3 David Nalbandian, and former padel legend Fernando Belasteguín, who now serves as tournament director. The Miami stop of the Premier Padel tour showcased not just high-level competition, but also the growing appeal of the sport among top-tier athletes from various disciplines.

With appearances like these, Premier Padel continues to expand its global footprint, proving that padel is much more than a trend — it’s becoming a true meeting ground for sports legends.

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