If you want to know what Kobe Bryant is up to today, there’s a fair chance that he’s spending it watching El Clásico. Growing up in Italy, Bryant was a massive soccer fan and credits the game with helping shape him on the basketball court.
His love for the game has continued to this day. There’s a remarkable story about when Barcelona came to Los Angeles in 2006, and Bryant went to speak with his friend Ronaldinho. Ronaldinho, at the time, was at the height of his power, but he told Kobe that he wanted to introduce him to “the guy who is going to be the greatest player of all time.” That guy was a 17-year-old Lionel Messi.
But having grown up in Italy, Kobe’s favorite club is AC Milan. In the interview above — although the man’s native language is English, he can also speak fluent Italian and Spanish — he outlines his favorite players growing up: Marco van Basten, Paolo Maldini, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Franco Baresi.
In recent times, he’s said that Mario Balotelli is his favorite, although the Italian striker is now with Marseille.
The18 Recommends For You
