Atlanta has long been a powerhouse in the trap music scene and the sports world, blending culture and competition like no other city. With the highly anticipated release of Playboi Carti’s album I AM Music, it felt like the perfect time to revisit my sit-down interview with Alexey Miranchuk from the start of the season.
We talked about his transition to life in the A, his now-famous quote about choosing Atlanta because of its trap scene, and the surreal experience of having dinner next to Playboi Carti. As the Russian Designated Player continues to make his mark on the field, his connection to Atlanta’s culture only deepens.
Just like how the Atlanta rap scene exploded into the mainstream in the late 2010s with stars like Migos, Gucci Mane, Future, and Young Thug, Atlanta United burst onto the scene around the same time and quickly became the pride and joy of ATL with legends like Miguel Almirón, Josef Martínez, and Brad Guzan.
Now, with a new guard leading the charge in the 2020s, the club aims to reach those same peaks with a fresh cast of stars. Enter Russian international Aleksei Miranchuk, rising talent Emmanuel Latte Lath, and the return of Miguel Almirón—Atlanta is once again on the path to dominance, mirroring the city’s music scene as Playboi Carti reaches new heights with his highly anticipated drop.
Whether in music or soccer, Atlanta continues to set the standard, proving that its influence isn’t fading anytime soon.
With an average attendance of just over 45,000, Atlanta United is deeply woven into the city’s culture on game day—just as much as the person on the AUX blasting the city’s anthems at the pregame tailgate. Miranchuk has been embraced by Atlanta from day one since his transfer from Atalanta.
The city’s music scene is global, and even a Russian player finishing a season in Italy felt its influence. The culture has motion worldwide and may have even played a role in attracting some of Atlanta United’s transfers. Former Atalanta teammate Luis Muriel, who joined Orlando City at the beginning of the 2024 season, reassured Miranchuk, saying, “You will love it. It’s your style. Life off the field is really good.”
With that encouragement, he made the move from Italy to Atlanta, embracing the city with open arms. The transition wasn’t entirely smooth—he had to wait for all his furniture to be shipped from his previous home—but now, at 29-years-old, he’s settling into the A, finally getting a vacation and a full MLS preseason under his belt.
With Offset making an appearance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the match against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami—hitting the Golden Spike and later holding up Miranchuk’s jersey for a photo—the love for Atlanta United’s newest superstar is clearly mutual. Unfortunately, Miranchuk hasn’t had the chance to meet any of the rappers who have shown up at the stadium, but a link-up seems inevitable.
When Atlanta United isn’t “aura farming” by beating Inter Miami in the playoffs, Miranchuk enjoys rubbing shoulders with some of the city’s biggest stars. He recalls casually being at the same restaurant as Playboi Carti, treating it like just another day in Atlanta. The city has fully embraced Miranchuk, and it’s only a matter of time before he finds himself in the mix with ATL’s biggest icons, both on and off the pitch.
Since its inception into Major League Soccer, Atlanta United’s goal has always remained clear: silverware or bust. For Miranchuk, however, the focus is on continuous improvement, both individually and as a team.
While he’s not fixated on personal achievements, his primary goal is to elevate his teammates and help the club secure some form of silverware. His mindset centers on contributing to the team’s success, ensuring that each season is better than the last. Whether through assists, goals, or leadership on the field, Miranchuk is committed to playing his part in the pursuit of trophies.
As Atlanta continues to be a hub of culture and creativity, it’s clear that both the city’s music scene and Atlanta United are defining the new era. For Miranchuk, the connection to the A’s vibrant culture has only fueled his passion to succeed on the field.
His journey from Italy to Atlanta, alongside the club’s pursuit of dominance, reflects the energy and drive that the city is known for. With an in-person fanbase that is possibly the biggest in the league and Atlanta United being one of the MLS Cup favorites, the team has everything in place to relive the glory days of the past.
With the same confidence as the trap stars in the city, Miranchuk looks to make season number two even better, aiming to become one of the city’s biggest stars alongside the rappers he loves to listen to. Number 59 is motivated to do his part for the A, and the future looks bright for both him and the club. The blend of soccer, culture, and ambition sets the stage for even greater moments ahead.
