The NBA is entering the final stretch of its season. With it, teams are focusing on securing the best possible position in their respective conferences, which is why tension continues to rise across every franchise.
However, there is also a growing feeling around the sports world that in just a few months, the biggest celebration of global soccer will take place across North America.
That anticipation has even reached NBA locker rooms, where players themselves have begun to speak about it. One of them is Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic, who, as a European, has a deep appreciation for soccer.
Historical comparisons between NBA players and global soccer stars
The engines are heating up more and more ahead of the FIFA World Cup. Starting this Thursday, March 26, 2026, when the playoff matches begin, some of them in Mexico, excitement is rising among fans of the most widely played sport on the planet.
Because of this, Doncic made a comparison between NBA players and figures from world soccer, matching them according to the skills that define the game’s greatest representatives.
Without a doubt, in this era, the sport’s leading icons are Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Although both are nearing the final stages of their careers, anyone who has seen them play has been fortunate.
With that in mind, Luka placed them based on what he believes are their equivalents on NBA courts:
Erling Haaland: Kevin Durant
Cristiano Ronaldo: LeBron James
Lionel Messi: Michael Jordan
Kylian Mbappe: Nikola Jokic
Vinicius Junior: Steph Curry
Each of them possesses a unique trait. LeBron is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, just as Ronaldo is in soccer, and both have pursued historic milestones, including the chase for the 1,000th goal, a mark he currently approaches with 965.
His Airness, Michael Jordan, owns six NBA championships, while Messi’s quality on the pitch remains unmatched and universally admired.
The debate will be eternal, but what cannot be denied is that all the players chosen by Doncic will soon showcase their finest talents for the enjoyment of soccer fans worldwide.
In essence, the comparison reflects how different styles of greatness can be understood across sports, drawing parallels in leadership, consistency, and impact without altering the original meaning of each athlete’s legacy.
It also underscores the cultural bridge between basketball and soccer, two disciplines that inspire millions around the world, especially as the World Cup approaches and captures global attention.
