Fansided

20 biggest celebrity soccer fans

By Kameron Duncan

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 15: LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 20
Next
Kobe Bryant
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 18: Kobe Bryant talks with media before his jersey retirement ceremony on December 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kobe Bryant – Barcelona

The list of truly legendary and transcendent NBA players is not a long one, but it is a list that includes Kobe Bryant. Bryant retired in 2016 as one of the greatest Lakers, greatest guards and one of the overall greatest players in NBA history. He won five championships, three All-Star MVP awards, and a regular season MVP award in 2008.

Bryant was a member of one of the true dynasties in NBA history, as the Lakers dominated the league in the early 2000s when they won three consecutive championships.

He definitely knows a thing or two about a winning pedigree.

It should come as no surprise that he supports a club with a rich history like Barcelona. Growing up in Italy, where his father played professional basketball, Bryant grew to enjoy, love and appreciate the beautiful game at a young age. He even says that he played soccer every day from age six to 14 while in Europe.

In a 2006 interview with ESPN Magazine in 2006, Bryant said that he supported AC Milan as a child and dreamed of playing for them when he got older, had he never fallen in love with basketball.

Kobe’s affinity for the Blagurana came about in 2005, when he watched Ronaldinho play. He also said that former teammate Pau Gasol being from Barcelona helped him endear himself to the club. In 2016, shortly before his retirement, it was revealed that Kobe was offered an opportunity to join his favorite club, albeit on the basketball team.

Kobe declined the offer, but think about how cool it would have been to see him wear the same uniform as some of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Home/Soccer