NBA legend Kobe Bryant once revealed that he stored Lionel Messi’s autographed photo in his locker

A beautiful relationship evolved between football maestro Lionel Messi and the late NBA great Kobe Bryant, completing the sports stars’ symphony.

A 2010 bombshell exposed Kobe Bryant’s secret admiration for Lionel Messi. Bryant, a legend in his own right, held Messi in such high regard that he proudly displayed an autographed photo, a silent homage to the undisputed king of the pitch.

Kobe Bryant stored Messi’s autographed photo in his locker

A legendary relationship developed between the late Kobe Bryant and the incomparable Leo Messi in the area where the sparkling fields of football and basketball intersected.

Rewind to 2010, and Kobe, the NBA icon, proudly revealed a prized possession—a signed photo of Messi, the football maestro, occupying a revered spot in his locker.

Describing Messi as the best player in the world, Kobe marveled at his unmatched creativity and boundless energy on the field, recognizing a kindred spirit in the Argentine striker.

Beyond the confines of their respective sports, Kobe and Messi’s friendship reached its zenith with a Turkish Airlines commercial.

The friendship between the two stands as a testament to the enduring connections that sports create and the shared spirit of greatness that unites legends across different arenas.

Who introduced Lionel Messi to Kobe Bryant?

During a visit to Los Angeles, The Brazilian maestro Ronaldinho, then dazzling with FC Barcelona, who was also a close confidant of late basketball icon Kobe Bryant, took the opportunity to introduce Bryant to a 17-year-old, Lionel Messi.

The NBA legend, who tragically died in a helicopter crash in 2020, previously spoke in a Spanish interview about the time he first met Messi.

“I’ll tell you a story,” Bryant said. “A long time ago, Barcelona came to Los Angeles. Ronaldinho, who was a good friend, I was talking with him and he told me, ‘Kobe, look I’m going to introduce you to the guy who is going to be the greatest player of all time.

As the anecdote unfolds, Ronaldinho, at the peak of his football prowess, recognizes the extraordinary potential in Messi and insists that he is the GOAT.

Bryant, who, despite being an acclaimed NBA champion, found himself astounded by the bold prophecy.

“I said, ‘You what? You are the best.’ But he said, ‘No, no. This kid right here is going to be the best.’ And that guy was Lionel Messi, who was only 17.”

This encounter not only sealed a bond between two sporting titans but also set the stage for Messi’s meteoric rise, capturing the imagination of fans worldwide.

The legacy of this introduction transcends the realms of mere sport, underscoring the interconnectedness of greatness across diverse athletic disciplines.

How great would it be if these two legends shared the court or the field together?
Let us know what you think in the comments down below!