“Kobe Was Just a Different Animal”- Legendary David Beckham Couldn’t Stop Praising Kobe Bryant’s Unbelievable Skills

The glitz and glamour the poster boy from England brought to the USA put MLS on the map. David Beckham transformed the way fans perceived soccer, as a result the whole complexion of the league changed. He brought quality to his beloved LA Galaxy. Currently, he owns MLS side Inter Miami, a team that has promised to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the future.

Taking part in a rapid-fire question round with former teammate Gary Neville, Beckham revealed how he became an ardent basketball follower after coming to the country. When asked about his favorite player, he had a beaming smile…the same smile that Kobe Bryant had. 

David Beckham admires Kobe Bryant

Arriving in 2007 with much fanfare from Real Madrid, Beckham was a man on a mission. He reached the pinnacle of his career with his crossing ability and his fine hairstyles. Moreover, with his boyish charm, he became the face of soccer. So, during his conversation with former Manchester United teammate, Gary Neville, he spilled his secrets and mentioned a couple of his favorites. When Neville learnt about his love for basketball, he wanted to know his favorite player. The right winger had only one name on his mind. 

“Kobe was because you know I was in LA at a time where, you know, he was unbelievable. I mean, he was always unbelievable,” said Beckham, watching probably the greatest Laker of all time. “You know the championships that they were winning at that time. You know the rivalry between the Lakers and the Celtics. Kobe was just a different animal.”

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Likewise, when Beckham played with the LA Galaxy, Bryant was tearing the league apart. The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics sent shivers down one’s spine, and they battled every game they played. In fact, in 2008, Celtics defeated the Lakers to claim their NBA title. On the other hand, the Lakers reclaimed their throne in 2010 as Kobe got one over the Celtics.  

Never left the arena until the whistle

Witnessing great moments, Beckam stayed at every game until it was done and dusted. He mentioned how that irked his friends, who were the ones leaving before the final whistle. It was purely because of his love for Kobe. To see him walk off the court made Beckham stand in awe. To sum up, he loved basketball and Kobe Bryant, as the duo respected each other. 

The two were the closest of friends until Bryant’s untimely passing. Likewise, Bryant knew Beckham’s impact on the US soccer fan base and how he elevated the sport to the next level. The greatness of these two athletes is just unbelievable. They are the true masters of their game, and to witness the amount of respect they had for each other is heartwarming.

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