In an exclusive appearance on the Best In Class podcast, Matthias Lessort shared his thoughts on the personal journey that led him to join Partizan after playing for their fierce rivals, Crvena Zvezda.
Lessort, now a star player for Panathinaikos and a key figure in the French National Team, opened up about the intense emotions tied to his career and his motivations for making the move.
Lessort’s signing with Partizan was a significant moment in his career. Reflecting on his time at Crvena Zvezda, he described joining the rival club as “a revenge.”
For Lessort, the transition wasn’t just a professional one; it was deeply personal. He carried an emotional attachment to the decision, feeling a need to make a statement after his time at Red Star.
“Playing for Red Star before, it was like a revenge I wanted to take because it was kind of a personal thing I had with Red Star,” Lessort shared.
Beyond his individual journey, Lessort also touched on the contrasting fan cultures between the clubs. “It’s two really different [things],” he said about the passion of Panathinaikos and Partizan supporters.
“Everybody has their own way [of showing love]. You’re a family, you have your wife, you have your mom. You cannot say who’s the best or who you love more. You love both of them and it’s different types of love.”
Lessort’s rise in European basketball began in 2014 with Elan Chalon, before stints at Nanterre 92 and Crvena Zvezda. His experience at Crvena Zvezda between 2017 and 2018 was pivotal in his development as a player.
After that, he played for clubs like Malaga, Bayern Munich, AS Monaco, and Maccabi Tel Aviv. However, it was at Partizan, where he played from 2021 to 2023, that Lessort truly began to make a name for himself on the EuroLeague stage.
In June 2023, Lessort made the move to Panathinaikos, signing a two-year contract with the Greek powerhouse. Since then, he has been a central figure for the team, contributing significantly to their EuroLeague championship last season.
Lessort’s role on the court has been vital, as he continues to put up strong performances, averaging 14 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the 2024-25 season.
