The NBA has given the world some of the finest athletes in the world. When it comes to the art of competing, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are the two top dogs. Their mentalities are a legend in the game of basketball itself. However, even other young athletes from different sports look up to them. Real Madrid’s latest hot youngster shared how the two basketball legends inspired him to give it his all.

Real Madrid is enjoying their best year in the last few seasons. The European Giants won their record 14th UCL title by defeating Liverpool yet again. Their young stars have been critical to their success this season, and Madrid is living true to their formula. They went all-in on midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, coming in as the fourth most expensive signing in club history.

And recently, the 22-year-old soccer star revealed MJ and the Mamba are his inspirations.

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Young budding soccer star looks up to Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan

Still, at the raw age of 22, Tchouameni is young in his soccer career. However, he has already set the benchmark high. Joining one of the most successful clubs in soccer history, he is now among the top. With a huge fee of $83 million behind him, the pressure is equally immense.

While a traditional soccer star may have Ronaldo or Messi as their idols, Aurelien looks up basketball. Notably, he looks up to Kobe and Michael Jordan as athletes who gave their lives to the game. He said: “I try to be inspired by the American culture, players like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. They are legends who always gave their best, trying to perfect their game.”

It isn’t surprising to see MJ and Kobe sitting as inspiration. Rather than basketball, it was their mentality that made them great. Playing through the pain and long hours, these two NBA legends changed the game forever. They sacrificed everything to be the best at their craft. Jordan and Kobe are among the greatest NBA players of all time. With 11 championships and over 50,000 points amongst them, these two solidified themselves as two of the most looked-up athletes in the world.

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With his mentality in the right place, do you think Aurelien Tchouameni will deliver for Madrid? Let us know your views in the comments below.