The jokes wrote themselves with Joel Embiid over the weekend.
The Philadelphia 76ers star Embiid made a guest appearance on CBS Sports’ coverage Saturday of the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. Embiid, who is a big fan of Real Madrid and often tweets about his support for them, appeared on the “Champions League Today” pre-show along with hosts Kate Abdo, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards. He made for some great television with the crew as well.
Joel Embiid is on the Champions League preshow pic.twitter.com/B0u9EXThEG
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 1, 2024
Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards couldn't believe how tall Joel Embiid is pic.twitter.com/hkmEhrdlBH
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 1, 2024
But Embiid’s appearance was also notable in that it led to everyone on social media making a variation of the same joke — that this was the first time Embiid had made it to a final of some sort.
Take a look at some of the funniest posts on X.
Joel Embiid made his first Finals appearance pic.twitter.com/l5fufqd3ZE
— BrickWrld (@BRICKW0RLD) June 1, 2024
Joel Embiid made it to a Champions League Final before Conference Finalspic.twitter.com/u6IvTgBwrc
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 1, 2024
Embiid finally made it to a finals game in his career https://t.co/8HyswaZcUs pic.twitter.com/qoqMduixG4
— Jamie KingPin 2.0 (@darealjaymz_) June 1, 2024
proud of Embiid for finally getting on national TV in June https://t.co/X58073zcHy
— Sam Alberti (@sam_alberti) June 1, 2024
Embiid ended up very satisfied though as Real Madrid went on to win 2-0 to clinch a record 15th Champions League title and their sixth in the last ten years. After Borussia Dortmund blew several golden opportunities on goal during the first half of play, Real Madrid veteran right-back Dani Carvajal scored on a header in the 74th minute off a corner delivery from teammate Toni Kroos. Star forward Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid then put the game on ice with an 83rd minute goal after Borussia Dortmund gave possession away deep in their own half of the pitch.
In a post to X, Embiid expressed his excitement at the result.
HALA MADRID!!!!!!!
— Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 1, 2024
For Embiid himself, he still has yet to ever make it to the conference finals in his career. That is despite being named league MVP in 2023 and playing in Philadelphia with several All-Star teammates (to varying degrees), including Tyrese Maxey, James Harden, Jimmy Butler, and Ben Simmons. The 76ers will be trying to do something about that this offseason though as they have been linked to a number of new potential star partners for Embiid.
