Kobe Bryant Reveals How Ronaldinho Introduced Him to 17-Year-Old Leo Messi

Lionel Messi isn't running low on plaudits, but this one has to be quite humbling for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Retiring NBA legend Kobe Bryant revealed in an interview with ESPN, via Goal.com, how he met the Argentinian superstar when he was just a teenager through former Barcelona and Brazil star Ronaldinho.

"I'll tell you a story. A long time ago, Barcelona came to Los Angeles," Bryant said. "Ronaldinho, who was a good friend, I was talking with him and he told me: 'Kobe, look I'm going to introduce you to the guy who is going to be the greatest player of all time."

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Bryant, who is playing in his 20th and final season with the Los Angeles Lakers, explained that Ronaldinho had pegged the youngster for stardom from a young age.

"I said: 'You what? You are the best.' But he said: 'No, no. This kid right here is going to be the best.' And that guy was Lionel Messi, who was only 17."

The rest, as they say, is history.

[Goal.com]