KEY POINTS Kobe Bryant commented on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in his last interview before his death

Messi and Bryant developed good friendship

Messi and Bryant's ad was hailed "ad of the decade" by YouTube

Lakers legend Kobe Bryant revealed his thoughts about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in one of his final interviews before his tragic death.

The world was saddened by the sudden death of Bryant. Though it seems unreal, the fact is that sports had lost another icon. Bryant has been a role model not only for the new generation but even for his peers. His legacy and contributions to basketball can be compared to Messi and Ronaldo’s in soccer. In fact, in his final interview with CNN, “Black Mamba” revealed his thoughts about two of the greatest soccer players of all time.

Bryant used to play soccer in Italy as a kid. And even during his NBA career, the sport has always been close to his heart. He developed a friendship with Messi several years ago and to this day, the NBA legend is still amazed by the Argentine’s talents.

“Well, I think he’s one of the best athletes of all time. The tenacity, the intelligence with which he plays as well as skill puts him head and shoulder above the rest,” Bryant said about Messi.

The five-time NBA champ was also convinced that Ronaldo is in the same breath as Messi.

“And Cristiano (Ronaldo) is right there with him,” Bryant added.

Messi and Bryant’s friendship started when Ronaldinho introduced them to one another. In an interview with ESPN, Bryant recalled how Ronaldinho described the young Messi as the future GOAT of soccer.

"I think Messi must have been 18 at the time, 17 maybe. Ronaldinho called him over and said, 'Kobe, I want you to meet the player who is going to be the greatest player who ever lived'," Bryant recalled.

When Bryant retired in 2016, Messi even wished his friend “all the best” on his official social media account as the legend approaches life after basketball.

"[Bryant] will always be in the history books as one of the greatest. It was he who helped me become interested in basketball. All the best in the next stage of your life, Kobe," Messi wrote.

In 2015, YouTube crowned an advert from Turkish Airlines featuring Messi and Bryant the “ad of the decade.” The said recognition was part of the video website’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

The epic ad was titled “Kobe vs. Messi: The Selfie Shootout,” an ad that echoes a spot from the same company the previous year, in which the sports stars compete for a child’s attention on an aeroplane .