Spain and FC Barcelona legend Navarro retires from basketball
BARCELONA - There have not been many players like Juan Carlos Navarro to have ever graced European basketball courts, but the long-time Spain captain and FC Barcelona legend has announced his retirement.
BARCELONA - There have not been many players like Juan Carlos Navarro to have ever graced European basketball courts, but the long-time Spain captain and FC Barcelona legend has announced his retirement from basketball.
The 38-year-old guard, commonly referred to as La Bomba, is hanging up his sneakers as one of the most decorated European players, having achieved extraordinary success both for the national team and at club level.
My name is Juan Carlos #EuroBasket2017 #Gracias@j_c_navarro1 @baloncestofeb 🇪🇸
— FIBA (@FIBA) September 17, 2017
📖 https://t.co/jljZlmV4y6 pic.twitter.com/hS5QVkBC6t
Having participated in seven FIBA EuroBasket tournaments, five Olympic Games and four FIBA Basketball World Cups, Navarro is the all-time cap leader for Spain with 253 games under his belt.
During his time with the national team, La Bomba has become a World Cup winner (2006), claimed two Olympic silver medals in Beijing and London (2008 and 2012) and a bronze in Rio de Janeiro (2016). A two-time FIBA EuroBasket champion (2009 and 2011), he also has a pair of 2nd-place and a couple of 3rd-place finishes in the history of the tournament.
🏀 Juan Carlos Navarro to join @FCBbasket structure. ‘La Bomba’ is leaving behind a hugely successful 20-year career with the first team
— Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) August 17, 2018
▶ https://t.co/gEhO8bfJfw
🔵🔴 #GràciesNavarro pic.twitter.com/UrguPdIJUx
Born in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Navarro represented the local FC Barcelona club for the majority of his career, suiting up for the club from 1997-2007 and 2007-2018, He retires as the most successful player in the history of club's basketball section with a record 35 major domestic and continental titles.
After a turning a new chapter of his life, Navarro is not leaving the world of basketball altogether and is set to continue to work within the FC Barcelona system moving forward.
Soon after the announcement was made, the tributes started rolling in on social media from former teammates and foes alike.
Es difícil despedirse de un jugador que lo ha dado todo en una pista de baloncesto, por su club y el baloncesto español de esta manera. Pero has sido, eres y serás una inspiración para cualquier jugador como lo fuistes para mí. #graciasJuanki pic.twitter.com/tLo65aNJ7R
— Rudy Fernandez (@rudy5fernandez) August 17, 2018
Siempre fuiste un ejemplo para todos. Todos hemos querido hacer "la bomba" pero nadie se acercaba a la de verdad.Un capitán de un grupo de amigos muy especial.Te echaremos de menos en las pistas,el baloncesto te echará de menos.Mucha suerte en tu nueva etapa.Un abrazo enorme.
— jose manuel calderon (@JmCalderon) August 17, 2018
#💣 pic.twitter.com/9KLlUAA6ne
Muchos años peleando juntos 🏀. En la selección y en los clásicos. Unas veces rivales, otras compañeros y para siempre amigos. Se va 'La Bomba', pero queda la leyenda. Y todo el baloncesto mundial 🌍🌎🌏 lo sabe, Chonki. 🙌🙌🙌 #GraciasNavarro pic.twitter.com/GrABIKktAm
— Felipe Reyes (@9FelipeReyes) August 17, 2018
"Every story gets to an end but Juan Carlos is not a story. He is a legend and legends never finish" 🗯 @SergioScariolo on @J_C_Navarro1 🇪🇸#GraciasNavarro @BaloncestoFEB pic.twitter.com/PgSvGwJSbA
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 17, 2018
Hablando hoy con mi fisioterapeuta me comenta: “yo me enganche al baloncesto por JuanCarlosNavarro”. Y como él,muchos.Este tiro resume lo mucho que diste.Magia.Talento.Puro espectáculo.Exhibición tras exhibición. Muchas gracias por hacer que tantos nos engancharamos a esto. 💣🎩 pic.twitter.com/wIZiy8l26Y
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) August 17, 2018
Se retira un grande!!!
— Pablo Laso (@pablolaso) August 17, 2018
Todo mi respeto. pic.twitter.com/1cb8qxtNbH
Simplemente IRREPETIBLE. 🎩💣#GràciesNavarro #leyenda #elmejor pic.twitter.com/BLIH37Bvu4
— Alex Mumbrú (@Alexmumbru15) August 17, 2018
Compañero o rival pero siempre un ejemplo. #GraciasJuanki pic.twitter.com/uk0ivxlxCM
— Nikola Mirotic (@threekola) August 17, 2018
LEGEND 🙌 #GràciesNavarro pic.twitter.com/2rL1ERMG8X
— Barça Basket (@FCBbasket) August 17, 2018
What a career! Great player, great person. Was an honor to be ur teammate #Legend #LaBomba 🏀🔥 pic.twitter.com/BaTOBVrpic
— Petteri Koponen (@KoponenPetteri) August 17, 2018
Finally no more points to #Zalgiris basket by Juan Carlos Navarro 😉 #LaBomba finishes his glorious career! 💣#LEGEND 😇 pic.twitter.com/kzMZRJuYfj
— BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) August 17, 2018
Congrats on an unreal career! Absolute superstar & glad I got to be apart of your team for a few years!! Goodluck with what’s next! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/YTLM3NdMsq
— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) August 17, 2018
FIBA