When Kobe met Marta

Friday, 06 March 09, 12:43 AM · Comments (0)

All sports fans know the name Kobe Bryant for his amazing exploits on the basketball court, but few know him as a soccer player. Indeed, Kobe played soccer as a youngster in Italy where his father was a professional basketball player.

Bryant's love of the sport has never faded, an avid Barca supporter, Kobe lists the club's former Brazilian star Ronaldinho as his favorite player. Which is why it was fitting that Kobe welcome Marta to Los Angeles.

For those who don't know, Marta is the most dynamic player in the women's game and is often compared with the great Ronaldinho, Bryant counts himself as a fan of Marta and even says it was a goal of his to watch Marta in person at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Marta is certain to become an icon for thousands of young girls across Southern California and America, among them is Bryant's daughter, Natalia. Said Kobe, "...we go home and I bring up Marta on YouTube and said, 'Watch this.' She sat there for like 15 minutes just watching. She's only 6, but she recognizes what's amazing."

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