The Spanish international pivot Pau Gasol (Sant Boi de Llobregat, 1980) still does not know if he will continue playing after the Tokyo Olympics, but in an interview with EFE he does not rule out continuing in the Barça one more year before his retirement. In any case, the decision will be made after the Olympics.
He’s on the shortlist for this summer’s Olympics. How do you deal with it?
I am really looking forward and looking forward to it. I think the Olympics was one of my goals since I got injured. The championships with the national team are always objectives throughout my career, but with these setbacks and these foot injuries, it was a goal I wanted.
I wanted to fight to finish or have a chance to play an Olympic Games at this point in my career, a fifth Games.
I’m looking forward to starting with the national team, with the group, doing a good job of helping the team and being on the definitive list in Tokyo.
I am looking forward and looking forward to the Olympic Games, which has been one of my goals since I was injured. The championships with the national team have always been objectives throughout my career
The pandemic has helped you a little to get to these Games, hasn’t it?
Partly yes. In part it has given me more time, it has given me more margin, because if the Games had been last year it is very likely that I would not have been able to arrive. There is no evil that for good does not come, they say, and you have to look for the positive side of things. And what I have tried is to adapt to the circumstances and create a work plan that would allow me to play again.
It is the first step that I have already made at a high level with Barça. Very happy about it and now that I can be with the national team for the Games.
In the absence of the final list, is there a selection to qualify for a medal?
I think so. This team is always with a very ambitious mentality, a lot of work and a great quality not only basketball but also human, which is what ultimately characterizes this group. We never set limits and we are going to compete, give everything and then the championship puts you in your place.
Jasikevicius said that you were rethinking your future with a few days of vacation. Now that you’ve had them, do you know what you’ll do after the Games?
We will see. At the end we will reflect, we will disconnect a little and I will talk with my family, see how I feel and we will weigh the future a little. But that’s a month and a half away. Now, all I want is to focus on preparing for the Olympics, for this great challenge and to be at the best level I can be. And enjoy, especially enjoy this moment, which passes quickly.
So you don’t rule out staying at Barça?
In life you do not have to rule out anything. You also have to be aware that the options are what they are and I am at a time when I am focusing a lot on the present and we will see what the future holds. I’m not ruling it out, but I can’t get into anything else either.
The Barca? In life you do not have to rule out anything. You also have to be aware that the options are what they are and I am at a time when I am focusing a lot on the present and we will see what the future holds. I’m not ruling it out, but I can’t get into anything else either.
Juan Carlos Navarro said that he would do everything possible to sign your brother Marc Gasol for Barça. How do you see that possibility?
If I can’t talk about my own, how can I talk about other people’s. It is difficult and they are very personal and very subjective decisions. You have to let things happen as they have to happen and how everyone wants them to happen.
Barça’s interest is logical. Marc is a great player who could help the team a lot, but he also has to weigh his moment, his condition and what he wants to do in his future and in his life.
Are you going to have a conversation about it at the olympic village?
I don’t think so, we’ll see. If it comes out, it comes out. Marc has to think about his future, his life and his family, after many years also playing this and many years being in the United States and see what he feels like.