The Golden State Warriors star throws support behind PSG in the Club World Cup, says that soccer is his "favorite sport"
NBA star Butler calls soccer his "favorite sport"Warriors forward predicts PSG success in CWCHas PSG connection through his coffee brandGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED
NBA star Jimmy Butler backed French side Paris Saint-Germain to win the FIFA Club World Cup, proclaiming his love for the Ligue 1 side and saying that soccer is his "favorite sport."
PSG, reigning Champions League winners, ended their 2024-25 season by winning the treble, including the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France.
āI think the tournament is amazing,ā Butler told FIFA's website. āI love PSG, as Iām sure the world knows, so Iām glad that Iām able to be here and support. Itās big for the United States, itās big for L.A. Iām happy to be here and support … itās so much different in person. You get to come here and watch some high-level football being played. Iām just excited to see who ends up on top, but Iāve got a feeling itās going to be PSG."
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Butler said the Club World Cup, hosted in the U.S. this summer, will help elevate the game in the country.
āIām super excited. I think football, soccer here in this county, is on the way up,ā Butler said. āAll the best players are coming here to build their brands and show their faces. Itās just going to give our youth another thing, another goal, another dream to reach for. I love it. As everybody knows, it's definitely my favorite sport, Iām just not that good at it. But for the youth, for football in America this is huge.ā
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Butler is a well known soccer fan, having picked his jersey number with the Golden State Warriors based on his love for Neymar and Ronaldinho – and others who have donned No. 10. The 35-year-old is also part of a consortium that is attempting to buy a stake in 2024-25 FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
Getty Images SportWHATāS NEXT?
PSG won the opening game of their Club World Cup group stages against Atletico Madrid, 4-0, and will face Brazilian giants Botafogo on Thursday.
