This is “excellent news for the world of sport”, according to Elisa Aguilar, president of the FEB. Away from the courts since last August in order to take care of his mental health, Ricky Rubio was selected to play with Spain at the end of the month during the qualifying matches for the next Eurobasket 2025, against Latvia, on February 22 in Zaragoza , and Belgium, February 25 in Charleroi. He is one of the 14 players called up, with Rudy Fernandez (Real Madrid) and Juancho Hernangómez (Panathinaikos). “It’s excellent news to be able to have players from Euroleague teams,” said coach Sergio Scariolo.
Forfeited during the 2023 World Cup, the leader with 157 caps could thus find his way back to competition. At 33, Rubio terminated his NBA contract with Cleveland in January. Two weeks ago, he announced his return to training, with his former club FC Barcelona. “After several weeks of reflection and work on my mental health and my body, I have the strength and the desire to see how I feel with a ball in my hands,” the World Cup MVP posted on his social networks 2019, won by Spain.
