Bryant: 'I could play another three or four years'

NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant (right) of the US and Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho smile as they watch a friendly soccer match during a Nike event in Rio de Janeiro June 23, 2013.[Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Kobe Bryant has raised the prospect of extending his decorated NBA career until his late 30s.

Speaking during a visit to Brazil on Sunday, the 34-year-old Los Angeles Lakers guard said he was not yet considering retirement.

"I could easily see myself playing another three or four years, " the five-time NBA championship winner said during a television interview.

Bryant is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon and remains hopeful of returning to the court by the end of the year.

"It (the recovery) is going well. I'm pretty much two months out of surgery, and I'm walking. I can get up on my toes. I'm pleased with how it's going so far," he added.

A keen football fan, Bryant was at the Arena Fonte Nova in Salvador on Saturday for Brazil's 4-2 victory over Italy in their Confederations Cup Group A match.