Catalan basketball star Ricky Rubio to train with Barcelona
Point guard called time on NBA in January citing mental health problems
Catalan basketball star Ricky Rubio is to train with FC Barcelona, marking a return to the club after over a decade in the NBA.
"I have reached the final stage of my recovery," Rubio posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday morning, referring to mental health problems which forced him to put his career on hold last summer.
"After many weeks working on my body and mind, I feel keen and strong enough to see how I feel with a ball in my hands," he said.
"My next step has been to ask FC Barcelona if I can, with no obligations and without interrupting their plans for the season, train with them."
FC Barcelona, as well as being giants in world football, are one of Europe's top basketball sides.
The club welcomed Rubio back "as one of the family."
On January 4, Rubio's time in the US came to an end after spells with Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers. The El Masnou native previously played for four years at Joventud Badalona and two years at FC Barcelona.
Eight trophies and 140 games for Barça
Ricky Rubio's haul of eight trophies at Barça included two Copas del Rey, one Liga ACB (10/11) and one EuroLeague (09/10), the latter the second of the club's two continental titles, when the captain was Roger Grimau, now head coach. Another of his team-mates, Juan Carlos Navarro, is now manager, while Víctor Sada is back at the club as assistant coach.
In total, Rubio played 140 competitive matches for FC Barcelona, according to the club's website.
Highest civil distinction
The Spanish government awarded Ricky Rubio the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sports Merit on January 9, the highest distinction that an athlete can receive in Spain.
The Catalan athlete also stands out for his work off the court through the foundation that bears his name, The Ricky Rubio Foundation, which develops various social projects, his involvement in giving visibility to mental health, and his public health work on anti-smoking campaigns.
With the award of the Grand Cross, Rubio joins other athletes who have achieved this distinction such as Rafa Nadal, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi and Iker Casillas, Teresa Perales, Laia Palau, and Rubio's own national team colleague, Pau Gasol.