From NFL Glory to World Cup Breakthrough: Alex Freeman Follows His Own Path
Nearly 30 years after Antonio Freeman starred in American football, his son Alex Freeman has made headlines in another sport. Antonio Freeman was one of the Green Bay Packers’ top players in September 1996, when he scored two touchdowns in a big win over the Seattle Seahawks, and later that season won the Super Bowl. Now the Freeman name is back in Seattle, this time because Alex scored his first World Cup goal on Friday and helped the United States beat Australia 2-0 to clinch a place in the round of 32.
After the match, Freeman called it “a family moment of closure.” He said, “It shows how special our family is. My father succeeded in his way, and I can succeed in mine. It’s just amazing to have a father who was a successful athlete and can prepare me for moments like this.” Antonio Freeman has been following his son throughout the tournament and was seen in the stands, proud of his performances.
Alex Freeman, 21, said his path to soccer was not obvious in a country where football is the dominant sport. He initially feared his father’s reaction to choosing soccer, and said his mother and stepfather, who was also his first coach, encouraged him to follow his dream. He once hid his love for soccer, but now says he is glad he did not give up. “It shows how quickly things can change,” he said. “Never doubt yourself. Never give up, keep pushing forward because you never know when your chance will come.”
His breakthrough came under coach Mauricio Pochettino. Just four years ago, he was playing for Orlando City’s reserve team in MLS, and even a year and a half ago he was barely mentioned as a national-team candidate. Since Pochettino’s appointment in 2024, Freeman has become one of the symbols of the young core being built for the home World Cup. He was first called up last year, became a regular in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and is now considered one of the team’s key players. Pochettino praised him as having “an exceptional profile,” saying he always wants to learn, always listens, is a great person, and could become one of the world’s best in his position.
Freeman has also become a social media star. A TikTok video posted by his half-sister Diamond Spalding before the United States’ opening World Cup match went viral after she wrote, “My little brother plays for the U.S. national team, so cheer for No. 16.” Since then, “Diamond’s little brother” has become a popular nickname online, and after the goal against Australia some fans began calling him “America’s little brother.” For Freeman, who comes from a family of football stars but chose a completely different route, it was a deeply meaningful moment. “I worked my whole life to get here,” he said. “Singing the national anthem in front of a home crowd at the World Cup just fills me with joy.”
