NBA Star Deni Avdija Plays Padel with Football Legends Robbie Keane and Rio Ferdinand
Israeli NBA player Deni Avdija shared an Instagram story on June 28, 2026, showing him playing padel alongside several notable football figures. The group included former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach and ex-Tottenham and Ireland international Robbie Keane, former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, former England striker Peter Crouch, former Chelsea player Steve Sidwell, and Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who recently missed out on the World Cup with Denmark. Among them, only Avdija and Schmeichel remain active players, while the others have transitioned into coaching, football-related professions, or media commentary roles in England. The unexpected mix of basketball and football personalities drew attention for its randomness and cross-sport camaraderie.
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