Kobe Bryant: Football World Reacts To Death Of NBA Legend

 

The death of basketball legend, Kobe Bryant, has indeed thrown the world into collective grief with the 41-year-old widely revered and loved. Bryant had several attractive and appealing features that endeared him to a lot of people and which will make the hole created by his demise really hard to fill.

The former LA Lakers star was flying over California when a fire started and caused the helicopter to spiral and crash.

Reports say nobody on board the helicopter survived the crash with all passengers dying in the tragic accident, including his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

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Bryant, who has long been regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, won five NBA Championships in his illustrious 20-year long career with the Lakers.

He was also an NBA All-Star 18 times and was crowned the league's Most Valuable Player among many other accolades.

Following his death, players and clubs all over the world took to social media to express their sadness and grief as well as pay their tributes to the international icon.

Juventus Portuguese attacker led the eulogies, tweting, "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 injured midfielder, Paul Pogba, said, "Heroes come and go, legends are forever. RIP Kobe and his daughter Giannaand all the victims.. My prayers to the famiies."

World football governing body, FIFA, also joined in the commiseratioms, tweeting, "A legend in one sport who loved, and was loved in, ours.#RIPKobe."

English club, Manchester City, said "Everyone at Manchester City is shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Kobe Bryant. He was a true sporting icon and transcended the sport of basketball. Our thoughts are with Kobe Bryant' friends, family and the entire Lakers organisation during this tragic time." with league rivals, Chelsea, doing likewise, "A true sporting icon. Rest in peace, Kobe."

Luiz Suarez who met the basketballer when he visited Barcelona in 2018 said, "Rest in peace KOBE BRYANT and all the victims who have passed away in that tragic accident and (I) give all my condolences to family and friends."

Former United attacker, Chicharito Hernandez, meanwhile revealed he was still recovering from the shock that came with the news. "I still can’t believe the news. I’m very sorry about what happened. My condolences and best wishes to Kobe’s whole family. #RIPMAMBA"

Argentinian striker, Sergio Aguero, who is the second top scorer in the English premier league also posted a meesage in spanish as well as its English translation. "Profundamente conmovido//Deeply saddened by the loss of #KobeBryant  #RIP #Legend."

German club, Borrusia Dortmund, alsp took time to send their wishes following their 4-1 defeat of Koln at the weekend. "We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Kobe Bryant. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends. Forever a legend," a tweet from the club said.

African footballing icon Didier Drogba was very emotional in his condolence message. The Ivorian posted a tweet that said "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo," accompaniec by a slew of distressingly sad emojis, before adding, "I just can’t believe it."

While former AC Milan midfielder and Italian stalwart, Andrea Pirlo, said "You’ve been an example for our generation R.I.P. Legend."

AC Milan itself, of which Bryant is a huge fan, posted an image of the American in a Milan shirt alongside a caption that read, "We have no words to express how shocked we are to hear of the tragic passing of one of the greatest sportsmen of all time and Rossonero fan, Kobe Bryant. All our thoughts are with the families of those affected by this tragic accident. You will forever be missed, Kobe.

PSG, whom Bryant visited in 2017 where he was involved in a show of skills with Kylian Mbappe also expressed the engulfing sadness at the club. It posted a message on Twitter that said, "The club would like to express its deepest condolences to his family and friends, to the @Lakers and the @NBA family after the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant. RIP, legend."