When Kobe Bryant Performed Kick Ups With 18 Year Old Kylian Mbappe

When Kobe Bryant Performed Kick Ups With 18 Year Old Kylian Mbappe

Byron Pillay
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:21 PM
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  • Kobe Bryant visited Paris Saint-Germain's training grounds in 2017 and met some club stars
  • Bryant impressed many as he performed kick-ups and kept up with the 18-year old Mbappe
  • Mbappe was valued at $150 million at the time and has since gone on to win the World Cup

There are some moments that live on in sporting history.

One of those moments is when NBA legend Kobe Bryant showed off his football skills alongside 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe.

Kobe Bryant, Performed, Kick Ups, Kylian Mbappe, LA Lakers, Sport, World, Soccer, Paris Saint-Germain, France, Neymar
Kobe Bryant and Kylian Mbappe posed for a photo when the NBA legend visited Paris Saint-Germain's training grounds in 2017. Image: KMbappe.
Source: Twitter

As noted by the Daily Mail, the late Bryant visited Paris Saint-Germain’s training complex in 2017, and met with players like Neymar, Lucas Moura and a young Mbappe.

It was the LA Lakers legend’s interaction with the Frenchman that really caught everyone’s eye.

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Bryant took time out to show off his football skills and even impressed many by holding his own against the young French attacker, while doing kick-ups.

Bryant’s love for football

The NBA champion’s skills with ball at feet surprised many, but it shouldn’t be so. As noted by The Sports Rush, the 6-foot-tall Bryant grew up in Europe and played football as a youngster.

He played as a goalkeeper, before turning his attention to basketball. Bryant went on to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time before retiring in 2016.

He tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in 2020.

Mbappe’s meteoric rise to fame

The young Frenchman was already valued at $150-million at that stage, despite being so young.

The following year, he lifted the World Cup trophy with France and this year, won the Golden Boot award at the tournament in Qatar. Mbappe is now valued at approximately $190-million.

Barcelona's Kounde inspired by Bryant

Jules Kounde has revealed the inspiration behind his unique goal celebration, after completing a deal to join Spanish giants, Barcelona on July 28.

The Catalan giants announced the signing of the 23-year-old France international by posting an emoji of a snake, which was a reference to Kounde’s 'Mamba celebration'.

Kounde, who had scored nine goals in 133 games for Sevilla at the time, named Bryant as the inspiration behind his goal celebration, Sports Brief reported.

LeBron sheds tears over Kobe

LeBron James was left utterly devastated and emotionally heartbroken, after being informed about the tragic death of Kobe Bryant.

New footage has shown the LA Lakers star completely breaking down after news of the NBA player's passing broke.

Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, Sports Brief had reported.

Authors
Byron Pillay photo
Byron Pillay
Byron Pillay is a sports writer and Head of the Department at Sports Brief (joined in 2022) with over 10 years of experience in community journalism and a degree in journalism from Caxton's Cadet School.
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