AC Milan, the Italian football club, paid an emotional tribute to Kobe Bryant in a spectacular manner before and during Tuesday’s Coppa Italia clash with Torino at the San Siro.
Kobe, who spent his formative years in Italy from the age of 6 to 13, was a devoted Milan supporter, with Marco van Basten being his idol. The NBA legend tragically passed away with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday, January 26, 2020.
Prior to the AC Milan vs. Torino match, the words ‘Legends Never Die’ and ‘SempreKobe’ – a play on the ‘SempreMilan,’ or ‘AlwaysMilan,’ hashtag frequently used by the club, were displayed on the advertising boards around the San Siro while images of Bryant were featured on the giant screen during the warm-up period.
As the teams emerged for kick-off, the stadium lights were dimmed as a tribute to Bryant was announced, accompanied by fans applauding and illuminating the stadium with their phone lights. The song ‘Who wants to live forever’ by Queen was then played.
Both teams also wore black armbands, and in the 24th minute, fans around the stadium, including a supporter donning a Lakers jersey with Bryant’s name on the back, stood to applaud in tribute to Bryant, who wore No. 24.
AC Milan later emerged victorious against Torino with a 4-2 win in the Coppa Italia clash on Tuesday.
