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Kobe Bryant moved to Europe at the age of six when his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, signed to play for an Italian basketball team. As fate would have it, the move provided him with the opportunity to develop differently from most other players in the NBA. This is apparent both on the court, where he possesses knowledge of the tactical peculiarities of both the European and North-American professional leagues, and off it, where this cultured and bilingual individual nurtures a passion for a sport other than that in which he regarded as an all-time great: football. Five-time champion of the NBA with his Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe is far from your run-of-the-mill football fan. He talks about the sport enthusiastically and does not shy away from in-depth discussions, including those of tactics. Present at the Arena Fonte Nova to watch the game between Brazil and Italy, the decider for top spot in Group A of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, Bryant conceded a short interview to FI...

 Listen One of the greats of the basketball world, when away from the court and out of his LA Lakers jersey Kobe Bryant is a familiar face in the stands of football stadia around the globe watching, what he told FIFA.com, is his favourite sport. The five-time NBA Champions and former Most Valuable Player is one of those cheering on some globes finest at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, having already attended the FIFA Confederation Cup Brazil 2013 last year. We caught up with him ahead of Germany's impressive win over Portugal to talk about his love of football, whether he is collecting information for his beloved USA side and who he thinks could triumph in the Maracana on 13 July. FIFA.com: Kobe, you visited the Confederations Cup last year and now you are at the World Cup in Brazil. You must be a huge football fan... Kobe Bryant: I am actually. I grew up in Italy. From the age from six to 14 I played soccer every day. It is actually my favourite sport. Why did you choose to wat...