USA - Kobe's love for Messi

BEIJING (Olympics) - Kobe Bryant's superstardom is undisputable.

Only the other day the Los Angeles Lakers MVP of the season discovered another legion of fans. From another sport altogether, but all of them stars by their own right.

The Argentine football team was in for a pleasant surprise as they ran into Bryant on their arrival at the Athletes Village.

"When we went to have lunch, we bumped into Kobe Bryant," Sergio Aguero told The Electric New Paper.

"He was very nice as he tried to communicate with us in Spanish. He wished us good luck for the rest of the Games," said Atletico Madrid striker said.

"That was when we took advantage of the situation and took some pictures with him."

Joining Aguero in the line of those wanting a photograph was Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano.

"I took a picture with Kobe Bryant. It was a great moment," Mascherano said.

"I think Kobe is an example of a real sportsman and he is a great and easy-going guy."

But one player who did not stand in that line and somebody whom Kobe himself admires was Barcelona striker Lionel Messi.

Messi, like Kobe, is one of the superstars at the Games, who are on top of the list of all autograph-photograph seekers. Even Kobe is among those fans!

"I want to meet Messi. If you see him, tell him I said, 'hello'," Kobe told the Olympic News Service after the win over China.

Now imagine the delight of those who'll be present when, and if, the two meet!

FIBA