Kobe Bryant Was Introduced To A Teenage Lionel Messi By Ronaldinho

Bryant, who tragically handed away final 12 months when he was concerned in a helicopter crash, was mates with Ronaldinho.

The Barcelona squad have been in LA for a pre season tour and the pair met, the Brazilian launched his good friend to his teenage teammate Messi.

The LA Lakers star as soon as instructed the story of the fascinating assembly and it is value rewatching.

“I am going to let you know a narrative. A very long time in the past, Barcelona got here to Los Angeles,” Bryant mentioned.

“Ronaldinho, who was a superb good friend, I used to be speaking with him and he instructed me: ‘Kobe, look I will introduce you to the man who’s going to be the best participant of all time.”

The LA Lakers legend went on to say he believed Ronaldinho was one of the best, however the Brazilian reaffirmed {that a} younger Messi would take his crown.

“I mentioned: ‘You what? You’re the finest.’ However he mentioned: ‘No, no. This child proper right here goes to be one of the best.’ And that man was Lionel Messi, who was solely 17.”

Messi and Bryant’s paths would cross once more in 2013 once they appeared in a sequence of Turkish Airways advert collectively.

The advert was titled ‘Legends on Board’ and featured a younger baby approaching the 2 superstars for autographs on an airplane.

They each proceed to indicate off their skills to the kid, who finally rejects them for an air hostess with a plate of meals.

Bryant was referred to as a giant soccer fan and was requested about Messi’s influence on Barcelona by CNN lower than two weeks earlier than his loss of life.

When discussing the 32-year-old, Kobe mentioned:

“He is [Messi] one of many biggest athletes of all time – his tenacity, intelligence with which he performs in addition to his ability.

“It simply places him head and shoulders above the remainder.”

It is clear to see that the 2 elite sportsmen shared an incredible quantity of respect for one another.