​MIAMI — Giannis Antetokounmpo was on his flight to Miami from Atlanta fresh off watching Argentina advance to the World Cup final, when his mind started to wonder.The next in a long line of superstars to join the Heat under the direction of Pat Riley started thinking about another superstar that arrived in South Florida three years ago. The one he saw will his team past England — Argentina legend Lionel Messi.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe man considered the greatest athlete ever to come out of Greece would like to emulate his counterpart from Argentina.”Seeing that game yesterday, we witnessed greatness, right?” Giannis said Thursday, July 16 during a celebration for his arrival in South Florida at the Kaseya Center, the two-time NBA MVP’s new home.”Messi might go down as one of the best athletes of all time. He has (eight) MVPs , he might have two World Cup finals wins, he has (three) Champions League championships. So he’s out there, with other athletes, Michael Jordan, Selena Williams, Djokovic, Michael Phelps. At the end of the day, when you see that, you definitely get inspired to take care of your body, to keep on doing that thing for your team.”1 / 15MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 16: Giannis Antetokounmpo #7 of the Miami Heat speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Kaseya Center on July 16, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)(Megan Briggs, Getty Images)’I was born to be a Heatle’ New Miami Heat forward Bobby PortisAdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGiannis called Messi the “blueprint,” and illustrated it by describing one play from Thursday’s soccer match, when he was pushed down and his teammates sprinted to help him up.”You have to earn that,” Giannis said. “The respect that he has from his teammates, that’s earned. And … that’s the blueprint. LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, they set the blueprint you just have to follow.”Giannis already has followed one path taken by Messi. The one that landed him in Miami. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he is a man with skills so unique he’s been labeled the Greek Freak.”It’s like nirvana to me,” Riley said. “He wants to win and he wants to win big. We want to win … and we’re not waiting. We’re not going to wait. Our plan is to go for it right from the beginning.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”It’s a great day. It’s just a great day.”Jul 16, 2026; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (7) reacts during his introductory press conference at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesLess than 24 hours before the start of the NBA draft, on June 22, The Heat and Milwaukee Bucks finalized the deal that included six players and a slew of picks, the key figures being Antetokounmpo and Bobby Port