LA Lakers Star Kobe Bryant Hails ‘Incredible’ Lionel Messi

Ollie Irish

14th, April 2010

4 Comments

By Ollie Irish

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant has spoken out in praise of Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

“He is the most incredible player I have ever seen,” Kobe told Sport.

“The truth is that it amazes me when the best player in the world continues inventing things that I have never seen before. He still has the ability to grow and improve as a player and he is very young.

“I try to watch all of Barca’s matches on TV when I do not have to play my own games. For example, what he did last week against Arsenal in the Champions League was incredible.

“He is a phenomenal player, he competes for every ball, he plays harder than anyone, keeps the ball at his feet no matter what is going on around him. He is a very difficult player to defend because of his style of play.”

Kobe also explained why he’s a football fan:

“I grew up in Milan where my father played basketball and football was always a sport I was very passionate about.

“When I grew up, I always followed the best players and I really liked watching Ronaldinho when he played at Barca. Later, Messi’s eruption was spectacular. He is the most incredible player I have ever seen.”

How refreshing to hear an American sports star refer to the game as football, rather than soccer.

Posted in Barcelona

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4 Comments

  1. Fergatronic says:

    Yes, an article combining my two favourite sports! Now all we need is to hear that Beckham once went on a night out with Kevin Garnett and Graeme Swann and my life will be compete.

  2. Fredmeister says:

    Will he comment on the ‘rapey’ antics of some football stars as well? With his record I would have thought he would be a chelsea fan. Or a Marlon King fan.

  3. Brian says:

    I hate KOBE! Now Steve Nash, that is the real footballing NBAer

  4. Ollie says:

    @ Fergatronic – as long as you admit that Kobe is still No.1 in the NBA…

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