The Spanish Laia Palau has announced her retirement as a professional basketball player at the age of 42. Palau thus puts an end to a 25-year career in which she has won 33 titles and has hung 12 medals with the national team.
Laia Palau played for the Valencian Ros Casares team for six seasons, from 2006 to 2012, during which time she won one Euroleague, five Leagues, four Queen’s Cups and four Spanish Super Cups.
“I stop playing basketball. I don’t want to use the word retired because I don’t quit basketball. I’ll look at it differently,” said the Catalan player at an event held at the Fontajau pavilion, the Spar Girona court, the club where she has played for the last four seasons.
After learning the news, the Spanish Basketball Federation has fired her, assuring that “there will be no other like her” and with a video tribute to some of her best plays.
“�� There will be no other like HER ��
�� Laia Palau ��#ThanksLaia #LaFamilia #We are a team pic.twitter.com/jYxPABew2X“
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) May 18, 2022
For his part, the president of the Federation, Jorge Garbajosa, stressed that “one of the most iconic figures” of this sport is retiring. “We can thank her and her eternal recognition. Ella Laia will always have a privileged place and I am sure that she will continue to be linked to basketball,” he added.
“�� The President of the #FEB dismisses a LEGEND, Laia Palau ❤️
��️ @ jgarbajosa15: “One of the most iconic sports figures in our country retires”#ThanksLaia #LaFamilia #We are a team pic.twitter.com/HKHe2eQz4I“
– Basketball Spain (@BaloncestoESP) May 18, 2022
