Real Madrid salute Juan Carlos Navarro - "a true honour to have competed against him"
Real Madrid acknowledged the highly-decorated shooting guard who called time on his career this weekend after almost two decades' service for Barcelona.
Real Madrid had the civility to recognize and publish a few words about one of their greatest rivals during the past 20 years in the Liga Endesa, Juan Carlos Navarro who this weekend announced his retirement from the game after almost two decades' service with Barcelona.
Madrid recognize Navarro's contribution to Spanish basketball
Madrid gave their message prominence and visibility by publishing on the front page of their official website rather than within the basketball section.
"Regarding Juan Carlos Navarro's retirement from the game, Real Madrid would like to express our recognition of one of the greatest Spanish basketball players. It was a true honour to have competed against him. We wish him the best of luck", Madrid's message read.
Navarro was Barcelona's great captain over the past few seasons, and the thorn in Real Madrid's side on many occasions. His Barça denied Los Blancos from advancing to the semi-finals in the 2010 Euroliga on their way to being crowned European champions and pipped Madrid to the league in 2012 and 2014.
Real Madrid players tip their hat to 'La Bomba'
Other Real Madrid players such as Rudy Fernández, Felipe Reyes and Sergio Llull as well as former madridistas Álex Mumbrú, and Luka Doncic also paid tribute with warm messages for 'La Bomba' on social media..
En el adiós de Juan Carlos Navarro, el Real Madrid muestra su reconocimiento a uno de los jugadores más grandes del baloncesto español. Fue un verdadero honor competir con él. Suerte.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 18, 2018
A partir de hoy el baloncesto es menos baloncesto! Te echaremos de menos Juanki! #GraciasNavarro #Leyenda #Respect 💣👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/L11jNBIVjp
— Sergio Llull (@23Llull) August 17, 2018
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
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
Simplemente IRREPETIBLE. 🎩💣#GràciesNavarro #leyenda #elmejor pic.twitter.com/BLIH37Bvu4
— Alex Mumbrú (@Alexmumbru15) August 17, 2018