NBA superstar Kobe Bryant has revealed how Barcelona CF helped him become the player he is today.
The 32-year old Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard spent his childhood growing up in Italy which is the main reason he followed football, or soccer, as a youngster and says that watching a team such as Barcelona inspired him to play with flair in his chosen profession.
"Growing up in Italy, I've always been a huge soccer fan, so it's very easy for me to identify with the sport," Bryant said during Barcelona's pre-season tour of the USA.
"When I first saw Barça play, they play with so much creativity, passion and enthusiasm, it was so easy to follow it. They inspired me and the way I play."
And Bryant said that he once got the chance to train with the Blaugrana when Frank Rijkaard was at the helm.
"I think it was 2005 or 2006," Bryant added. "I was on vacation in Barcelona and they were practicing and I was fortunate to go down to practice when Frank Rijkaard was coach.
"I grew up watching him and I was a big AC Milan fan [Bryant's father played basketball in Italy]. I went to watch practice and watched [Barcelona] train, which is cooler than the watching a match because you actually see things develop."
