In a joint effort between Santander and the Gasol Foundation, the basketball great played a match with Rafael Nadal.

Pau Gasol, a Spanish basketball legend and two-time world champion with the Spanish national team and two-time NBA champion defending the Los Angeles Lakers jersey, has said that the “formula” for success in Spanish sport is the “good system,” which produces “new talent with an ambitious mentality” and that “the success of some has spread to the success of others and that is very positive.”

At the 18th hole of the Santander and Gasol Foundation Solidarity Golf Tournament for the Prevention of Juvenile Obesity, Gasol delivered a speech.

Gasol was on the same course as tennis great Rafa Nadal. “Our rivalry is in good humor, and we’re here to enjoy ourselves. We just played at Pedrena yesterday, and I can’t wait to get back there.Assuring that “Rafa is very excited to come back and enjoy the next season and finish his career in the best possible way after so many years,” the coach continued, “He has a higher level (Gasol is handicap 14 and Nadal is handicap 05), he has been playing for many years, and it is a pleasure to learn with him.” I see him eagerly at work, striving to keep on bestowing onto the world wаr and fresh delights.

The major nations wonder what Spain is doing differently to be so successful in sports. I see a strong pipeline for developing young athletes that are motivated, self-confident, and committed to their craft.

It’s great that people’s successes have “rubbed off” on others, he admitted.

Gasol, who is working on a variety of new projects, some of which are related to sports, but which he describes as “different,” has shifted his attention away from basketball.

“I have more flexibility, but with desire and enthusiasm to do things and take advantage of everything I have been able to sow in a long sporting career,” he remarked.

“As a father and a spouse, as well as a supporter of competition and wоmen’s sport, with organizations like FIBA or NBA, with the Lakers or Barcelona…. Lots of goofing off, but the good kind, with an eye toward seizing chances and making a positive effect while having fun.

Competitive and elite sports provide their participants with something unique. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to perform for a crowd of 10,000 or 20,000 people. You also miss the vibe that used to be present in the locker room. The Spanish athlete admitted, “But now you realize that you’ve been lucky enough to do it for a long time, and now it’s the turn of others.”

The Boadilla Golf Club in Madrid hosted a charity golf competition for the Gasol Foundation and Banco Santander, who donated 50,000 euros to the cause of reducing juvenile obesity.

There are several benefits to golf. It’s something I enjoy doing, it’s social, and you can do it on foot. It’s a new kind of difficulty—just you, the clubs, and the stationary ball—and a mirror for your internal condition. It has helped me much mentally as I go through this period of change. Gasol admitted that he was hooked on basketball because of the sport’s unique blend of seriousness and camaraderie.

“The national basketball squad will inevitably have to adjust to a new generation. After we retired, our national team went on to win the World Cup and the Eurobasket last year.

“This year it has not been possible, but we have great players, a good identity, culture, and commitment, and we will be at the top for sure”, he stated.

Former teammate Ricky Rubio’s retirement was a “very personal decision,” he said. I agree with that wholeheartedly. If he has decided to stop, it is likely due to a lack of mentаl health, and now is the time to help him, be there for him, give him time, and work with whoever needs to be worked to see him healthy and happy.

And if he keeps playing, that’s great; if he puts his attention on his family and other difficulties, that’s great, too.

He also shared his thoughts on Nadal’s future, a close friend of his: “He is very excited to return and to enjoy the next season and to finish his career in the best possible way, but above all enjoying.” He remarked, “I can tell he is looking forward to being there and to continuing to give us joy.”