Neymar Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant During His Match vs Lille

After scoring the penalty, Neymar held his fingers up to the camera on the side of the field.

Neymar, who said after the game that he knew Bryant, looked solemn-faced as he held his fingers up to the camera on the side of the field.

(Photo: AP)

After scoring a penalty against Lille, Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar held up two fingers on his right hand and four fingers on his left to make Bryant's famed No. 24 jersey for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bryant, basketball's 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Lakers, died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. He was 41.

Neymar, who said after the game that he knew Bryant, looked solemn-faced as he held his fingers up to the camera on the side of the field. He then clasped his hands together in a prayer sign.

Earlier, Neymar had scored a superb goal in the 28th minute as league leader PSG won 2-0 to move 10 points ahead of second-place Marseille.

Speaking to French broadcaster Canal Plus after the game, Neymar explained why he dedicated his second goal of the night to Bryant. He scored in the first half but at this point he hadn’t found out about Bryant’s death, which he learned in the locker room at halftime.

“I went to look at the messages on social media at halftime, I found out that Kobe was dead. It’s very saddening for the world of sport and for all of us. Not only for basketball fans but for everything he did for the sport. I knew him and made this celebration for him, for his number. I hope he rests in peace.”

Neymar on Kobe Bryant

Last season PSG lost 5-1 at Lille for the heaviest defeat for Qatari owners QSI since they took over the club in June, 2011.

Lille matched PSG in the first half and went close to scoring when Brazilian winger Luiz Araujo's fizzing strike drew a fine save from goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

But Neymar gave goalkeeper Mike Maignan no chance, curling a shot into the top right corner from the edge of the penalty area after expertly chesting down a high pass and swapping quick passes with midfielder Marco Verratti.

Neymar slotted in the penalty in the 52nd following a Lille handball.