AC Milan will pay tribute to their devoted fan, Kobe Bryant, by wearing black armbands during their Coppa Italia match. The Italian football club plans to honor the NBA legend, who tragically passed away in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gigi and seven others. Before his untimely death, Bryant, at 41, was a fervent fan of football and an avid supporter of AC Milan, with Marco van Basten as his inspiration. In remembrance of the Los Angeles Lakers icon, the team will don black armbands for their upcoming matchup against Torino. The club also announced that tributes will be held before the game. In a tweet, AC Milan disclosed, “‘In agreement with @SerieA, tonight #ACMilan will wear the black armband in memory of Kobe Bryant, who died in a tragic helicopter crash together with his daughter Gianna Maria and 7 other victims.’ ‘The whole San Siro will also pay a tribute just a few minutes away from kick-off.'” Additionally, back in March 2016, Kobe Bryant divulged his fondness for football when he said, “‘I grew up a huge AC Milan fan. Marco van Basten was my favorite player. [Frank] Rijkaard, [Ruud] Gullit, and you know [Paolo] Maldini was just getting started, and [Franco] Baresi.'”