Kobe Bryant on FC Barcelona
ROOTS
Growing up in Italy, I followed soccer religiously. I'd go to the park to play basketball, but there were mini goals under the baskets, so I'd end up playing soccer with the other kids first. I became a Barça fan a few years ago, when Ronaldinho was there. I watched him when I was in Rome in 2005, and he was doing stuff I'd never seen before.
PLUGGED IN
Pau Gasol grew up in Barcelona, so he keeps me in the loop. I follow games on the Internet, and even when we don't have time to watch, we talk about the team. Sasha Vujacic likes Madrid, so that leads to a lot of smack-talk in the locker room.
THE GOODS
I have a great jersey collection; Leo Messi threw his to me in the stands at the Olympics. I also have signed soccer balls from Pelé for my kids and a picture with Diego Maradona.
WORLD VIEW
I just enjoy the game and its influence. If you look at European basketball players who grew up playing soccer, they see our game differently—the angles, the cuts. I enjoy watching that.
Growing up in Italy, I followed soccer religiously. I'd go to the park to play basketball, but there were mini goals under the baskets, so I'd end up playing soccer with the other kids first. I became a Barça fan a few years ago, when Ronaldinho was there. I watched him when I was in Rome in 2005, and he was doing stuff I'd never seen before.
PLUGGED IN
Pau Gasol grew up in Barcelona, so he keeps me in the loop. I follow games on the Internet, and even when we don't have time to watch, we talk about the team. Sasha Vujacic likes Madrid, so that leads to a lot of smack-talk in the locker room.
THE GOODS
I have a great jersey collection; Leo Messi threw his to me in the stands at the Olympics. I also have signed soccer balls from Pelé for my kids and a picture with Diego Maradona.
WORLD VIEW
I just enjoy the game and its influence. If you look at European basketball players who grew up playing soccer, they see our game differently—the angles, the cuts. I enjoy watching that.
Photograph by Matthias Calmer
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