Los Angeles Lakers and NBA great Kobe Bryant recalled his first meeting with Lionel Messi after Ronaldinho predicted the Barcelona star would become the greatest player who ever lived .
Regarded as one of basketball s greatest players, Bryant s links to football are strong, having spent some of his childhood in Italy, and the future Hall of Famer calls himself an AC Milan fan.
But the five-time NBA champion and 2008 MVP has a strong affinity for Barca due to his friendship with Ronaldinho and admiration for Messi.
Speaking about his introduction to an emerging Messi thanks to Ronaldinho, Bryant told ESPN FC: I think Messi must have been 18 at the time, 17 maybe.
Ronaldinho called him over and said, Kobe, I want you to meet the player who is going to be the greatest player who ever lived.
Messi has since gone on to win five Ballon d Or and 29 trophies at Barca, including eight LaLiga titles and four Champions League crowns.
The 30-year-old, who married long-term partner Antonella Roccuzzo in Rosario on Friday, is also Barca s all-time leading goalscorer.
Discussing his love for Serie A giants Milan and LaLiga powerhouse Barca, Bryant added: I still love AC Milan – though they don t wear my brand of choice – and FC Barcelona.
If you cut my arm open, man, you d see four colours; blue and [garnet], and then you d see red and black.
