Sergio Llull hopes Edy Tavares will retire at Real Madrid / News - Basketnews.com

Sergio Llull believes Edy Tavares deserves to retire at Real Madrid, admitting that Willy Hernangomez's transfer to Barcelona was a huge hit for Los Blancos.

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

As Spain gathered to training camp before the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Sergio Llull discussed several topics, including Walter Tavares' future in Real Madrid.

Willy Hernangomez

Position:C, PFAge:29Height:209 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Madrid, SpainProfileNewsStatistics

The 35-year-old Spanish guard believes that Tavares deserves to retire at Real Madrid and hopes this is exactly what will happen.

"I think Tavares should retire at Real Madrid whenever he wants," Llull told Ricardo Gonzalez from AS."I am neither a sports director nor am I Edy, that is his business, but he is a game-changing center in Europe, there is no one else like him."

"For me, he is the best center, even the best player in Europe right now, and for us, he is a vital piece. Hopefully, he renews for 10 or 15 years, whatever he wants, and he stays a lifetime in Madrid to mark an era," Llull added.

Real Madrid captain also talked about Willy Hernangomez's decision to join FC Barcelona, admitting it was a huge hit for Los Blancos.

"Each one owns his destiny and chooses what he does, valuing the opportunities and offers he has," Llull said. "Willy is a great player, and for us, it is a shame that he has gone to the top rival."

"Barca with Navarro is doing things well in terms of transfers and has recruited young players and others at a great moment in their careers and people who will help to create a solid core," Llull continued.

Finally, Llull was asked about his future in the Spanish national team. Earlier, Rudy Fernandez revealed that he hopes to take part in the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024 and retire from the national team.

Does Llull have the same goal?

"I set no limits," Llull said. "As long as my body gives me, I'm going to continue playing basketball because I like it, and it's what I know how to do."

"Obviously, I would like to be in Paris, but to get to the Olympics, you first have to qualify, which is not easy, even though we have made it seem like it all these years. We will try to have a good World Cup, finish as high as possible, and look at qualifying for Paris," Llull concluded.

During the FIBA Basketball World Cup, Spain will play in Group G in Jakarta, Indonesia, and face Iran, Ivory Coast, and Brazil.

If Spain advances to the Second Round, it will meet teams from Group H, consisting of Canada, Latvia, Lebanon, and France.

FIBA Basketball World Cup will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10 and will be hosted by three nations for the first time.

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