Marc Gasol steps back and says stop

Marc Gasol retires

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Two days after turning 39, Marc Gasol has made his retirement from playing basketball official. The Catalan, an NBA champion in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors as well as a two-time world and European champion with Spain, had returned to his homeland in 2021 to play for Girona, but had not taken the court on a single occasion this season. He will remain in the corporate ranks, working alongside the management of the red and white club.

The announcement è came during a press conference at the Espai Texas in Barcelona, which was also attended by Elisa Aguilar, former basketball player and president of the Spanish Federbasket. "The "announcement of a player's retirement is always a moment when there are mixed feelings" said Aguilar in front of the reporters present.

"On the one hand, there remains the sadness of no longer being able to see on the court someone who, like Marc Gasol, è been one of the pillars of Spain’s victories in recent decades. At the same time, the possibility of having had a player like him has generated such a decisive impact on our sport that we can only address to him words of pride and gratitude".

Marc Gasol, younger brother of Pau, another outstanding Spanish basketball star, has played in the NBA with the jerseys of the Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Lakers and in Liga ACB with those of Barcelona and Girona. With the Spanish national team, in addition to two World Cups and two European Championships, he also won two Olympic silver medals, in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.