The Spanish pivot of the Milwaukee Bucks Pau Gasol confirmed this Wednesday that, due to his operation on one foot, he will not be in the World Cup in China and hopes to be able to play with the Spanish team in Tokyo-2020, if he qualifies for the Olympic Games .
“Due to the operation and my injury, I will not be able to be in this World Cup in China, but I will still be supporting the team, hoping they have a great championship and always being close to them,” said Gasol, in a video released by the Spanish media.
“This summer is going to be difficult because I would have liked to be with my team, with my teammates, for me the team is something … it has always been very important,” added the Spanish pivot.
Gasol thus confirmed something already advanced on May 14 by the coach of Spain, Sergio Scariolo, when he told the newspaper AS that the Spanish pivot “is going to be a tremendous loss.”
“His loss is a blow because he is a historical player and, in terms of leadership, much more,” added Scariolo.
Gasol underwent an operation on May 9 to remedy a stress fracture in the navicular bone of his left foot, thus missing the rest of the NBA playoffs and the World Cup, which takes place on August 31. to September 15.
However, he rejected that, at 38 years old, he is thinking about a withdrawal and pointed to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
“Hopefully we qualify for the Olympics and next year can be with the team,” said Gasol, who said he understood the speculation about a possible withdrawal.
“It is normal that there are certain speculations when you reach a certain age”, said Gasol, adding, however, that “I love what I do, I love to continue playing and this operation is precisely to continue playing basketball at the highest level.” (AFP).