Video of Victor Wembanyama playing soccer in Costa Rica amid shoulder recovery goes viral, fans react “good feet for a big man”

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Apr 25, 2025, 00:14 IST

Text Size

Small
Medium
Large

Victor Wembanyama, recovering from deep vein thrombosis and shoulder surgery, was seen playing soccer in Costa Rica, showcasing surprising skill. The video quickly went viral, with fans impressed by his agility and prompting questions about his recovery progress. Before basketball, Wembanyama played soccer as a goalkeeper, adding to his athletic background.

Video of Victor Wembanyama playing soccer in Costa Rica amid shoulder recovery goes viral, fans react “good feet for a big man”

Image credit: Leonel Niz/Instagram

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama took a break from the NBA after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder in February and undergoing surgery last month. Now, a new video of the 7’3” French basketball player playing soccer with locals in Costa Rica has surfaced online, and fans can’t believe how good “The Alien" is at the sport.

Victor Wembanyama spotted playing soccer

As Victor Wembanyama’s soccer video landed online, it immediately went viral. The 21-year-old is seen playing shirtless with other locals and kids at a small football ground. At one point, he even hits a header. Viewers on the internet were left in disbelief at how skilled he was.
One X user reacted, “He’s definitely taller than a goalpost.” Another said, “Could you imagine taking a penalty and he’s in goal?” Others noted, “Good feet for a big man.” One person had an idea: “Him as a guest character in a FIFA Street game would be raw as hell.” Another comment read, “Bro looks AI-generated.” Someone also pointed out the efforts of others on the field: “Gotta admire the guy trying to outjump him! That’s the spirit!”

Some fans also raised questions about his recovery. One wrote, “His blood clot is OK then? Didn’t think he would be anywhere near doing any sport at all considering how bad it sounded at one point.” Another joked, “465 missed calls by the GM of the Spurs after seeing this video.”
Before taking up professional basketball, Wembanyama played football as a goalkeeper and also practiced judo.
Talking about his NBA career, Wembanyama averaged 24.3 points per game this season, along with 11 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and a field goal percentage of 47.6%. He left the season midway due to the shoulder injury, which worsened after he returned from the All-Star Game in San Francisco.
Also Read: Victor Wembanyama sidelined indefinitely with crucial shoulder injury, San Antonio Spurs' season takes a hit
He was named the 2024 NBA Rookie of the Year and became the first rookie ever to be named to the All-Defensive First Team. He also plays for the French national team, which won silver at the 2024 Olympics.

About the Author

TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article