Joel Parra: 'I'll always be a Badalona fan, but I'll defend Barca's shirt with great pride' / News - Basketnews.com

Joel Parra reflected on his decision to leave Joventut Badalona for Barcelona, but added that he'll forever remain a fan of his former club.

Credit: David Ramirez/DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images Credit David Ramirez/DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images

In his first ACB league game with his new team, FC Barcelona, Joel Parra will face the team that helped him reach the top level, Joventut Badalona. The Spanish forward admitted that he will always be a fan of Joventut, ​​the club where he was molded as a player and which he will face on his Barca debut.

Joel Parra

Team:FC BarcelonaPosition:PFAge:23Height:202 cmWeight:95 kgBirth place:Barcelona, SpainProfileNewsStatistics

"I have always said that I am and will be supporting La Penya, but now I am here at Barca and I will defend this shirt with great pride," Parra said.

"I am going to try to do my best and be able to win many titles," explained the Spanish international in an interview with Barca's website.

Parra assured that he will experience "a special day" this Sunday at the Palau Blaugrana. "Not only is it the first league game with my new team, but I am also making my debut against my former team," he said.

"I hope it goes as well as possible. I will always wish them (Joventut) the best of luck, but obviously, on Sunday friendships won't matter. All that is left out, I want to win," he added.

Parra, 23, acknowledged that signing with Barca was "a complicated decision" after 18 years at Badalona, but he also clarified that "it was the step he had to take from a sports perspective" in order for his career to keep growing. "My desire was to play against the best and train with the best," he pointed out and expressed his dream of winning the EuroLeague.

"It's clear that when you leave your comfort zone, fears and insecurities appear. You don't know what can happen, but I am very happy with the decision I made," he further stressed. "However, I will always be grateful to Joventut for everything they've done for me," he acknowledged.

Parra reflected on the decision he made. The left-handed forward knows that some people were disappointed or even angry at him for making the transition from one rival club to another, but he assures he's at peace with himself and his choice.

"It's like everything in life. There will be people who understand it and people who don't. I am very calm with myself because during the years I have been with Badalona, I have given everything," he said.

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