Rudy Fernandez: 'I don't think we're going to win another World Cup' / News - Basketnews.com

Rudy Fernandez is keeping a low profile ahead of Spain's World Cup campaign. The captain of the Spanish NT addressed his team's chances and cleared up the air on his future with La Roja.

Credit: Federación Española de Baloncesto Credit Federación Española de Baloncesto

Rudy Fernandez could become the first player in history with three World Cup wins and six appearances in the Olympic Games. Although, for now, he's enjoying his status as captain of the Spanish NT, the 38-year-old veteran forward is part of the very small list of players to have won two World Cups (2006 and 2009).

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However, Rudy doesn't think he's going to win another one.

"I will be very honest and very transparent. I don't want it to be misunderstood, but I don't think we're going to win another World Cup," he recently told AS.

"We will work for that, of course. Last summer, I didn't see that we were going to win the EuroBasket either. But it happened like in 2019. The pieces fit together and, ultimately, there are opportunities in sports. And if you can grab them, you have a good chance of winning," the Real Madrid player continued.

"At the EuroBasket, we saw that nobody gave us as the favorites and that we played better each time. In this World Cup, we need to see what the mistakes are and smooth them out. We are told that we can be among the top five in the World Cup. Well, it's not bad looking at the national teams: France, Germany, Canada, the United States, Slovenia," he argued.

Rudy debuted in the Olympics in 2008. If Spain makes it to Paris, it will be his 6th Olympic Games, a world record.

"That will happen if I feel well," he clarified. "I will not retire from the national team after the Games. What I have to do is help the national team and if the coach thinks I can be there, I will be happy and try to fight to be there. And I will work all year with Real Madrid to secure a place.

If that doesn't happen, I'll still have a job, and damn it, five Olympics isn't bad either, is it?" he wondered.

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