The story of how Ronaldinho introduced Kobe to Messi
Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi, two titans of their respective fields, have been friends for a long time.
Bryant, a futbol fanatic, met Messi when the Argentine striker first broke onto the scene. The 17-year-old Messi had just become the youngest ever player to represent Barcelona at an official competition and was with the team on a promotional tour in North America.
"A long time ago, Barcelona came to Los Angeles," Bryant told ESPN. "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.'"
At that time, Ronaldinho was one of soccer's most recognizable players. He had won just about every award possible between two FIFA World Player of the Year awards, the Ballon d'Or in 2005, helped Barcelona win La Liga, and had just helped Brazil to their fifth World Cup title.
Bryant was understandably taken aback. "You what? You are the best," Bryant told Ronaldinho.
But the Brazilian reassured Bryant that it was the diminutive Messi who would one day inherit his No. 10 shirt in Barcelona and sit atop the throne.
"'No, no. This kid right here is going to be the best,'" Bryant recalls. "And that guy was Lionel Messi, who was only 17."
Messi went on to shatter just about every scoring record in soccer. With five Ballon d'Or awards to his name, a fistful of La Liga titles, three Champions League titles (with two trebles), and an unthinkable 297 goals in 330 club appearances, Messi proved Ronaldinho a prophet.
- With h/t Goal.com