Italian Cup Crowd Stands During 24th Minute of Game in Honor of AC Milan Fan Kobe Bryant
Italian soccer team AC Milan paid tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant – a vocal longtime fan of theirs – during the side’s Italian Cup game against Torino in San Siro stadium in Milan on January 28.
Fans rose to their feet to applaud Bryant during the 24th minute of the game, referencing the player’s famous number with the LA Lakers. Fans also raised banners emblazoned with #SempreKobe on them.
Bryant lived in Italy between the ages of 6 and 13, while his father, Joe Bryant, played basketball in the country.
After the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others, on January 26, AC Milan said there were no words to express their shock at the death of the “Rossonero [a term for AC Milan] fan” and said Bryant was “one of the greatest sportsmen of all time.”
AC Milan team members also wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence before their game against Torino.
The other victims of the helicopter crash were Alyssa Altobelli, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Christina Mauser, and Ara Zobayan, media reported. Credit: Andrea Ronchi via Storyful
