Ricky Rubio reveals reasons why he stopped his basketball career / News - Basketnews.com

Ricky Rubio bravely opens up about his mental health struggles and reveals his battle with chronic stress and anxiety: "The player ate the person."

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Ricky Rubio, who has officially signed a contract with FC Barcelona, shared open insights into his hiatus from basketball due to mental health challenges during a press conference on Monday.

Free throws this season

74%12,5Points made:12,5Accuracy:74,3%Place in standings:16Record max:19Record min:6Most made FTs:Willy HernangomezTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Nearly seven months ago, Rubio announced a pause in his basketball career, citing mental health issues.

"I developed a chronic stress, something similar to an anxiety disorder," Rubio admitted in a press conference, via Marc Mundet. "The only way to come back was to understand why I got to this point.

"I developed mechanisms that had led me to play at a high level but which were not sustainable. There is another way. Rome is reached by many paths."

During this tough period, Rubio felt a disconnect between the player and the person.

"The player ate the person," he stressed. "I didn't know who I was. It was a difficult moment for me. I had fear. You are able to handle your fears and play down them. Life is full of greys. But I have saved myself, and now I am at ease. I am proud of myself, and I give basketball a new chance.

"Still, I thought basketball was over [for me]," Rubio added on his mental health issues. "But I kept working with myself, and I hope it helps people who are struggling. I was in the dark, but that's how you get out of it. I live day by day. We try to control the uncontrollable, and you never know when life will take you down another path."

Rubio has already returned to a basketball court, representing the Spanish national team at the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers. He averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 assists over two games, but Spain lost both of them against Latvia and Belgium.

On top of that, Rubio picked up a minor injury in the latter game.

"The Spanish Basketball Federation could have forced me to play [in FIBA World Cup 2023], but they didn't. They gave me help and space, and it's incredible to be back," the 33-year-old confessed.

Now signed with Barca for the remainder of the season, Rubio expressed gratitude for the flexibility in his contract, allowing termination if circumstances deviate from expectations.

"I am 100% committed, but if at some point this [mental health issues] comes back, I will have to stop," Rubio said. "I am here to contribute as much as possible this season. So, we will see.

"Retire at Barca? I'm going to go year by year. Now, I only think about this season," the Spanish veteran concluded.

Rubio's return to the court with Barcelona could happen in the EuroLeague Round 27 game against AS Monaco, scheduled at Palau Blaugrana at 20:30 CET on Friday.

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