The day Ronaldinho introduced Kobe Bryant to a 17-year-old Lionel Messi

The passing of NBA incredible Kobe Bryant has stunned the games world.

Lionel Messi and a few Barcelona players sent tributes to the late ball star. While some discussed him simply as a symbol, others, for example, Messi himself, talked about somebody they knew by and by.

Bryant himself was an eager football fan and specifically of FC Barcelona and AC Milan. He became companions with Ronaldinho around the time the Brazilian set up himself as the best player on the planet playing for Barça.

The previous Laker once reviewed when Dinho gave him what, at the time, was a stunning presentation.

"Quite a while prior, correct? Barcelona came to Los Angeles. Ronaldinho was a companion of mine; I was addressing him. He let me know, 'Kobe, look, I will acquaint you with the player who will be the best player ever.'"

Ronaldinho was a marvel around then. He won the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Brazil, and later La Liga in 2004 and 2005, the Ballon d'Or in 2005, and afterward the UEFA Champions League with Barcelona in 2006. Bryant, as far as it matters for him, was a three-time NBA champion at the time, and as of now viewed as outstanding amongst other b-ball players.

A stunned Bryant answered, "What? You are the best."

However, Ronaldinho demanded, as per Bryant.

"He let me know, 'No, this person here will be better.'

"It was Lionel Messi. He was just 17 years of age. He was little."Reflecting sometime in the not too distant future on Messi, Bryant had this to state: "I believe he's perhaps the best competitor ever. The tirelessness, the knowledge with which he plays, just as aptitude, puts him head and shoulder over the rest.