Kobe Bryant and his love of Soccer

It has been one year since the death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash in California. Bryant’s death continues to shake the sports world, especially the Los Angeles area where Bryant played his whole career for the Lakers. As we reflect on his legacy and amazing career, one that saw him win 5 NBA championships, and participate in 18 All-Star games, we look back at his love of Soccer, a sport he loved since his time in Italy.

Growing up in Italy, “The Black Mamba” played soccer everyday with his friends, as he embraced the Italian culture, he became more and more immersed in the world of soccer. In an interview Kobe Bryantgave FIFA, Bryant admitted being a supporter of A.C. Milan of Italy, as he watched the great Milan teams of the late 80’s and 90’s, he was a huge fan of Dutch great Marco van Basten.

Still, in a way Kobe Bryant became a sort of ambassador for the Sport in the United States as he often would pose with legendary soccer players or in team jerseys during trips all over the world. Just days before his death Bryant took photographs with some of the best players in MLS as the league launched a sponsorship with BODYARMOR, a sports drink Bryant had invested in.

Kobe Bryant and his love for Soccer

Bryant admitted once that he chose to wear the number 10 jersey for Team USA as a homage to Lionel Messi, a player he admired and also later would film a commercial with. Kobe Bryant always kept an A.C. Milan scarf in his locker room during his playing days never forgetting the team he supported. He also had a friendship with Brazilian great Ronaldinho.

In a sport that continues to grow every day in the United States, Kobe Bryant was a huge ambassador to promote the game in the United States, and in a way his passion for soccer help promote the NBA in countries such as Turkey.