“Played Soccer Every Day”: NBA Legend Kobe Bryant Once Picked ‘Favorite Sport’ Soccer Over Basketball

Kobe Bryant had an illustrious NBA career spanning 20 years. He won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers in his career. However, his reach wasn’t just restricted to basketball but resonated beyond that to several other sports. Kobe has been a huge soccer fan alongside basketball. He still has massive respect in the soccer world, and it was visible when several teams and athletes mourned his tragic passing.

Kobe used to play soccer during his childhood days in Italy. His father left the NBA and came to Italy with his family in 1983. Kobe was introduced to soccer there, and he also became a huge supporter of the Italian club AC Milan.

Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s love for soccer made him friends with Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi. He was often spotted wearing a Barcelona jersey and meeting the club’s players during the off-season. Kobe even appeared in a Panini ad before the 2014 Brazil Soccer World Cup.

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Kobe, despite his love for soccer, went on to pursue a career in basketball. He followed in his father’s footsteps and started playing basketball in his high school days in Lower Merion. But Kobe once revealed that soccer was his favorite sport.

Kobe Bryant admitted to being a huge soccer fan and called it his favorite sport

Kobe devoted 20 years of his life to basketball. Even after his tragic loss, his wife and his foundation continue to work towards the development of the game. However, Kobe once admitted that soccer was his favorite sport.

“I am actually [a huge fan],” Kobe said. “I grew up in Italy. From the age from six to 14 I played soccer every day. It is actually my favorite sport.”

It is not a surprise, considering Kobe Bryant spent a considerable time of his life in Europe. European nations are mad about soccer when it comes to the popularity of the game. Italy has a huge soccer fan base and some of the Italian clubs have millions of fans around the globe. Kobe was very devoted to soccer and even after his retirement, he stayed connected to the sport.

Moreover, Kobe’s daughter Gigi also played soccer alongside basketball. She wore the number 2 jersey as a soccer player and baller due to her idol, Sydney Leroux.

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Kobe even started Mamba FC, which focuses on developing youngsters as soccer players. He left behind the team, which has produced some top players in the sport.

What do you think of Kobe’s association with the game of soccer? Let us know in the comment section below.