Is Ricky Rubio Going to Play for Barcelona? Unveiling NBA Star’s Sensational Request Post Retirement

After struggling with his mental health, Ricky Rubio announced his retirement from professional basketball on January 4, 2024. A few months prior, he had stepped away from the Cleveland Cavaliers to focus on himself and get himself back on track. Now it looks like things are finally looking up for the Spaniard, as Rubio recently announced that he would be trying to slowly make his way back onto the court.

This was the first time that he addressed his fans on Twitter after announcing his retirement earlier this month. Ricky Rubio added that, as a first step, he would be looking to start with the FC Barcelona basketball team.

Rubio had shared a two-page statement on his road to recovery and his plans moving forward. In this, the former FIBA MVP made a request to the Barcelona team to have him for practice.

Rubio wrote, “My next step has been to ask FC Barcelona if I could, without any commitment and without interrupting their season plans, train with them. Thank you in advance for your help and understanding with my situation.”

Having been away from the sport for a while, Rubio definitely needs some time to get himself ready to be back on the court. Having played with Barcelona for two seasons before making his way to the NBA in 2011, it was recently reported by ESPN that the former NBA star would start his training with the team on Tuesday.

Ricky Rubio gave up millions to leave the NBA

To retire from the NBA, Ricky Rubio agreed to a contract buyout from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rubio had $12 million left on his deal but decided to give up 5.4 million dollars for his buyout. He was a great veteran in the NBA that the young players looked up to.

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Stars like Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns, having shared the court with Rubio, expressed their honest thoughts when Rubio announced his retirement. Devin Booker said, “I’m gonna miss him on the court, but he’s a friend forever,” and Towns said, “I’m forever grateful to him for making me a better man.”

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Rubio’s leadership on the court was sought after by many teams. If he decides to make a return to the NBA in the future, there are sure to be many teams that would take a chance on the 33-year-old.