Giannis Antetokounmpo gave a heartfelt apology on social media. Antetokounmpo previously made harsh comments about Turkey as a form of retaliation for Alperen Sengun’s remarks about him. Realizing his reaction went too far, Giannis released a public apology to clarify his intentions and extend respect.
“During my live feed, I made an inappropriate comment responding to somebody that was making disrespectful remarks,” Antetokounmpo wrote on his Instagram stories. “My intention was never to offend anyone. AND I’M DEEPLY SORRY. I have nothing but love and respect for Turkey and people around the world. That’s how our parents raised us with love and respect.”
Giannis’ message reflected how much he values his global fan base. While he admitted his frustration got the better of him, he never wanted to insult an entire country or its people. His apology was also a reminder of how athletes are scrutinized on every word and action, especially on social media.
Both Antetokounmpo and Sengun later called for peace, reminding fans that sports are about unity, not division. Giannis closed out by highlighting that competition should never overshadow respect.
“We play for the love of our countries. We play for the love of the game. We play with respect. We always remember sports are made to unite us, not divide us.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s controversial comments towards Turkey
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo came under fire after an incident on Instagram Live. While celebrating Greece’s bronze medal finish at EuroBasket 2025, Turkish fans began spamming flags in the chat. Clearly annoyed by the fans’ gesture online, he couldn’t contain his emotions and snapped.
“Hey, take the f***ing Turkish flag out of here! Take it out of here.”
The clip quickly spread, sparking backlash. Some fans even crossed the line with reported death threats aimed at Giannis and his family. The controversy only added fuel to the tension between Giannis and Turkey’s Alperen Sengun, who had recently criticized the Bucks forward’s passing skills.
