A few hours after the Los Angeles Lakers retire the shirt of Spanish center Pau Gasol, many voices have been raised from all walks of life to pay homage to his figure. Among them, that of another reference in Spanish sport such as the tennis player Rafa Nadal, who has dedicated a brief and emotional video to Sant Boi and this unique feat.
“For the Lakers to retire the jersey of a player who is not American, who is Spanish, is incredible. I'm excited and it's to be super proud. A gesture like this shows what Pau has meant in the most important league in the world ”, he assures.
Nadal has praised all the sporting successes achieved by Gasol throughout his career and the importance he has had as a pioneer in paving the way for the new generations: “He is one of the great references in this sport. I will not review now all the titles that he has won with clubs and with the national team. He has been a pioneer in achieving things that have never been achieved before, especially in a sport like basketball in which the Americans have always dominated ”. "Pau has brought us very close to this level and he has marked the path of many that I am sure will come later," he predicts.
But the man from Manacor not only stays with the sporting aspects of the pivot who triumphed in the Lakers, he also highlights everything he has achieved off the field: "He is a very good example of all the values that should be attributed to an athlete . You just have to see how he has gotten here, respecting others, treating everyone well and trying to be a good example for the younger ones”.
It is impossible for the Spanish tennis player to highlight a specific moment from all those who have enjoyed watching Pau Gasol: “I have been lucky enough to be able to experience Pau's career up close and this makes it even more special. He is a good friend and I have many memories of seeing him in unforgettable matches”.
