Ricky Rubio (presentation): “What I asked from Barca was not easy”

Ricky Rubio (33 years old, 1.88 cm tall) is back. The point guard, after six months away from the slopes to focus on looking after his mental health, He made his debut in the match between Spain and Latvia, corresponding to the EuroBasket 2025 qualifying window.. The playmaker finished with 11 points and 5 assists, but did not play against Belgium due to a slight overload that forced the team to be cautious. Even before the basketball player’s debut, Sergio Scariolo said that he looked better than expected. One way or another, the good news was obvious: Ricky was back in action.

Now, after training with Spain, the point guard headed straight to Barcelona, ​​where he was presented as a new Barça player. Rubio was already training with the club where he played from 2009 to 2011 and with whom he won the main continental competition in 2010, the team’s last EuroLeague.. After more than ten years in the NBA, where he established himself as a player, he returns to the Old Continent to face the final stage of his career. This is an open secret, which he himself confirmed at an event held in Barcelona this Monday.

Ricky’s debut could take place against Monaco this Friday, in a match corresponding to the 27th round of the Euroleague, but everything will depend on the development of the player’s physical condition. Barça just lost the Copa del Rey to Real Madrid and last summer he formed a force whose object remains the conquest of the European throne. The one where he sat down with Ricky on the list for the last time.

Player’s words

“I want to thank the press and the basketball world when I asked for confidentiality and not to feel any pressure. And also the Federation, which could have pushed me to play, but chose to support me. When this happened to me, I truly understood what “Family” meant. This week spent with them helped me a lot in my recovery.” – said the player in the opening speech that began the presentation.

Ricky spoke about the problems he faced when he decided to stop: “I developed chronic stress and had to regulate it. I never labeled it as anxiety or disorder. I had symptoms of mental health problems, but I wanted to understand why. There was an internal factor, because of my way of thinking.. I thought so, but it was because of my way of thinking. My psychologist helped me take care of myself“

“What I asked from Barça was not easy. Joining a professional team mid-season comes with special conditions, but that’s why we’re here. The locker room received me in an incredible way. I felt loved and respected“he added.

Finally, Ricky thanked his wife and son for their support. When he took the stage, those present gave him a standing ovation. among whom were President Joan Laporta, head of the basketball section Juan Carlos Navarro and the team’s first coach Roger Grimau.. Ricky played with the latter two when he was a Barça player.