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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant made a surprise visit to watch FC Barcelona in training Thursday before the team's final game this weekend.
Bryant, who lived in Europe for eight years and is an avid soccer fan, watched quietly from the sidelines and hugged Barcelona striker Ronaldinho after the training session.
"I came to enjoy my favorite football team," Bryant said after security guards let him into the Nou Camp stadium. "It is a privilege to be able to watch Barca train."
The vacationing Bryant said coach Frank Rijkaard was his favorite player, a midfielder with a lot of "class."
Barcelona is tied with Real Madrid atop the Spanish league with 73 points. It plays Gimnastic Tarragona in the team's last match Sunday, needing a victory coupled with a Madrid tie or loss to clinch its third straight championship.
Bryant, who lived in Europe for eight years and is an avid soccer fan, watched quietly from the sidelines and hugged Barcelona striker Ronaldinho after the training session.
"I came to enjoy my favorite football team," Bryant said after security guards let him into the Nou Camp stadium. "It is a privilege to be able to watch Barca train."
The vacationing Bryant said coach Frank Rijkaard was his favorite player, a midfielder with a lot of "class."
Barcelona is tied with Real Madrid atop the Spanish league with 73 points. It plays Gimnastic Tarragona in the team's last match Sunday, needing a victory coupled with a Madrid tie or loss to clinch its third straight championship.
just thought it was an interesting article. i knew he was an avid soccer fan, pretty cool to see one of the top US athletes promoting soccer.
i've always wondered what would happen if all of the top US athletes played soccer instead of american football, baseball, and basketball
could you imagine kevin garnett as a goalie
