• Neymar dedicated his second goal for PSG against Lille to Kobe Bryant. AFP
    Neymar dedicated his second goal for PSG against Lille to Kobe Bryant. AFP
  • PSG's Neymar holds up two and four fingers to mark Bryant's number 24 shirt after he scored against Lille. AP Photo
    PSG's Neymar holds up two and four fingers to mark Bryant's number 24 shirt after he scored against Lille. AP Photo
  • Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates after scoring a second goal against Lille for PSG at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium. AFP
    Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates after scoring a second goal against Lille for PSG at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium. AFP
  • Nick Kyrgios of Australia walks onto Rod Laver Arena wearing a number 8 Kobe Bryant Jersey ahead of his Men's Singles fourth round match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images
    Nick Kyrgios of Australia walks onto Rod Laver Arena wearing a number 8 Kobe Bryant Jersey ahead of his Men's Singles fourth round match against Rafael Nadal of Spain on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. Getty Images
  • Kobe Bryant points to a teammate during an NBA game in Los Angeles in 2002. AP Photo
    Kobe Bryant points to a teammate during an NBA game in Los Angeles in 2002. AP Photo
  • People gather around a makeshift memorial for late basketball legend Kobe Bryant at the Staples centre in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020, a few hours after the announcement of his death. AFP
    People gather around a makeshift memorial for late basketball legend Kobe Bryant at the Staples centre in Los Angeles on January 26, 2020, a few hours after the announcement of his death. AFP
  • Kobe Bryant waves to the fans after his introduction before the start of the first quarter of an NBA game against the Utah Jazz, in Salt Lake City in 2016. AP Photo
    Kobe Bryant waves to the fans after his introduction before the start of the first quarter of an NBA game against the Utah Jazz, in Salt Lake City in 2016. AP Photo
  • Kobe Bryant points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals in Los Angeles in 2009. AP Photo
    Kobe Bryant points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals in Los Angeles in 2009. AP Photo
  • Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves as he walks off the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City. AP Photo
    Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) waves as he walks off the court during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Salt Lake City. AP Photo
  • A fan places flowers to mourn former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant following his death near the "House of Kobe" gym built in honour of his 2016 visit to the Philippines, in Manila. AFP
    A fan places flowers to mourn former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant following his death near the "House of Kobe" gym built in honour of his 2016 visit to the Philippines, in Manila. AFP

Football

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar lead sporting tributes to Kobe Bryant after helicopter crash

Neymar dedicated his goal to the basketball star during Paris Saint-Germain's victory

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

January 27, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Sports stars, including Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian Neymar, took to social media on Monday to pay tribute to Kobe Bryant following his death in a helicopter crash.

Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people died in the crash in Calabasas, California.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar became aware of Bryant's death during half-time in his side's 2-0 win at Lille, and then dedicated his second half goal to the NBA player by holding up two fingers on one hand and four on the other in reference to Bryant's number 24 LA Lakers shirt.

"It's deeply saddening for the world of sport and for all of us," said Neymar to Canal+ after the win, which put PSG 10 points clear at the top of the league.

"Not just for basketball fans, but for everything he did for sport."

He then posted a tribute on Instagram, thanking Bryant for all he did for sport.

Fellow footballer Messi said on Instagram that he was "lost for words" before adding that Bryant was "a genius" with whom he had shared good times with.

Ronaldo meanwhile posted a black and white image on his Instagram accompanied by the message: "So sad to hear the heartbreaking news of the deaths of Kobe and his daughter Gianna. Kobe was a true legend and inspiration to so many. Sending my condolences to his family and friends and the families of all who lost their lives in the crash. RIP Legend."

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford described Bryant as "a true inspiration in the sporting industry", while other players from across sporting world also spoke out, along with US President Donald Trump.

Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios walked on to the Rod Laver Arena wearing a No 8 Kobe Bryant Jersey ahead of his fourth round match against Rafael Nadal on day eight of the Australian Open.

Bryant is considered a legend in the NBA, making 18 All-Star teams during his 20-year career with the Lakers. He retired from the game in 2016.

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More on Kobe Bryant:

Remembering when Kobe Bryant visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai - in pictures

Obituary: Kobe Bryant, a transcendent star who never took a night off

NBA legend Kobe Bryant's career in numbers

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