Bucks’ Lillard Gets Tribute from Barcelona Soccer Star

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard received a fitting tribute from a rising football star Tuesday night.

FC Barcelona soccer players Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal performed Lillard’s iconic “Dame Time” celebration after Olmo’s winning goal against Ray Vallecano in La Liga.

Lillard eventually took notice of the nod and showed respect for the future football star in an Instagram post. The eight-time NBA All-Star reposted Olmo and Yamal’s celebration, and added four salute emojis.

Olmo’s nod to Lillard came after he scored the game-winning goal eight minutes before the end of his game. After giving his team a 2-1 lead, Olmo pointed with his wrist, signaling that it was his turn to shine, much in the same way Lillard does when he scores a three-pointer in the final minutes of a basketball game.

Talk to MARYLAND After the game, Olmo explained that his celebration was inspired by Lillard, who is known as one of the most decisive players the NBA has to offer.

“There’s a player I really like in the NBA, Damian Lillard, and he does this celebration when he scores big baskets, and I really like that and I’ve transposed it to football,” Olmo said.

During a decorated 11-year career with the Portland Trail Blazers (2012-23), Lillard made a name for himself by leading his team to eight playoff appearances through countless game-changing moments.

Some of his most memorable moments in decisive moments include his game-winning fadeaway three-pointer to eliminate the Houston Rockets in the 2014 NBA playoffs and another in the 2019 NBA playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Although Lillard has always displayed the clutch gene since his pre-professional basketball days, his iconic celebration did not occur until his third season during the 2014–15 season with the Trail Blazers. His famous celebration occurred after he made a three-pointer with three seconds left to force overtime against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a regular season game on December 23, 2014.

After scoring the three-pointer, the Portland Trail Blazers star turned to his bench and tapped his wrist in celebration.

As Lillard prepares for his second season in Milwaukee, Bucks fans should remain hopeful that he can produce even more of those memorable shots in 2024-25.