Kobe Bryant will at all times be remembered as a Lakers legend and considered one of basketball’s all-time greats.
However in February 2009 — in the course of his thirteenth NBA season — Bryant appeared on the quilt of ESPN the Journal carrying one other staff’s uniform and taking part in a completely completely different sport.
The duvet shot confirmed Bryant in full FC Barcelona gear and performing some fairly fancy footwork with a soccer ball.
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and FC Barcelona’s Ronaldinho participate in an occasion Aug. 5, 2006, in Hollywood.
(Frederick M. Brown / Getty Photographs)
In a video for ESPN the Journal, Bryant defined that he was a longtime soccer fan who had turn out to be “captivated” by famous person Ronaldinho, who performed for Barca from 2003-2008.
“That’s how I started following the team,” Bryant stated, “and from that point forward I just stuck with them.”
Now, greater than 16 years later, Barcelona gamers will probably be carrying Bryant-inspired uniforms. Revealed Tuesday by Nike and Barca, the staff’s 2025-26 away kits will function a lot of nods towards the late NBA legend and his well-known Mamba Mentality.
The colours are variations of the Lakers’ purple and gold. A snakeskin sample is featured on the shorts and parts of the jersey. Bryant’s “Kobe Sheath” brand seems prominently, together with on the higher proper part of the jersey the place the Nike Swoosh would usually be positioned.
“Born from a shared obsession with relentless self-improvement, the partnership brings the Kobe Sheath to professional football for the first time through a collection that captures the dedication and values central to Kobe’s legacy and Barça’s DNA,” Nike stated in a press launch.
“The collaboration celebrates Kobe’s lifelong love for football and admiration for FC Barcelona’s joyful style of play and philosophy. In return, Barça recognizes Kobe as a driving force in global sport who lived by the discipline and drive for greatness that defines the club.”
Barcelona wasn’t shy in selling the brand new look on Instagram.
“Two icons, one shared story,” the staff wrote in a single put up. “A collaboration born from mutual admiration and the values that unite us: talent, commitment, and passion.”
Barca added in one other put up: “The Mamba Mentality is in us.”
