Kobe Bryant speaks fluent Italian during Milanello visit

July 21, 2013 • • min read

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NBA star Kobe Bryant made an appearance at AC Milan's training center, Milanello, on Saturday morning and showed off his linguistic skills with some perfectly fluent Italian.

LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant is handed an AC Milan jersey with his number, 24, on the back

Photo: @acmilan

The LA Lakers player was at the state-of-the-art center in order to undergo treatment on his Achilles injury that ended his NBA season last April.

Sporting a customized Milan jersey with his name and number, Bryant took time out to speak to the Milan channel about his love for the Rossoneri.

The 34-year-old said: "I watched Milan play when I was a kid. They had stars like (Ruud) Gullit, (Frank) Rijkaard, (Marco) van Basten, and (Paolo) Maldini then. Milan has always been my favorite team and it's always in my heart.

"I keep a Milan shirt and scarf in my locker room in Los Angeles so I can look at them every day.

"It's an honor for me to be here. I have a been a big fan of Milan since I was a kid and It was always a dream of mine to come to Milanello.

"My favorite Milan player? (Mario) Balotelli is a friend of mine and I want him to become even greater than he is right now.

"Training with Milan one day? Yes, why not? I will come here to play and have fun. You can make me the goalkeeper and shoot at me."