Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar and back-to-back NBA MVP, has officially become a shareholder in Atlético Madrid. The club confirmed the investment on Thursday, linking the world's premier basketball player with a side sitting second in La Liga on 16 points.
The Canadian point guard, born in Toronto in 1998, expressed his excitement about the deal. "I am excited to officially join the group of shareholders of Atlético Madrid," said Gilgeous-Alexander. "This is a club with a long history at the very top of European football, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of its future."
A Career at its Peak
The player's arrival coincides with the pinnacle of his sporting career. Gilgeous-Alexander was named NBA MVP for the last two seasons and led the Thunder to the championship in 2025, also earning Finals MVP honours. In the 2025/26 campaign he averaged 31.1 points per game on 55.3% shooting from the field, combining volume and efficiency in a way only previously achieved by Michael Jordan among perimeter players. He also broke the record for most consecutive regular-season games scoring at least 20 points, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain's mark.
Atlético highlighted that the basketball star identifies with values of ambition, excellence and the belief that achievements must be earned through hard work. Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to perform under pressure and his commitment to constant improvement align with the intensity and pride that define the club. His interest in Atlético's international growth is genuine, though the exact percentage of his stake has not been disclosed.
This move boosts the global profile of the red-and-white side, which enters the agreement on the back of a key derby win over Real Madrid (2-1) on September 20. Diego Simeone's team now turns to its next league fixture, a visit to Alavés away this Saturday, buoyed by a three-game winning streak. The team has scored 6 goals across those three matches, keeping a clean sheet for the last 180 minutes of play.
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