Goodbye and thank you, Pau, a sports legend and a LORD.

Probably early this morning was the last game of a legend of Spanish sport. Pau Gasol.
At 41 years old and showing his professionalism and love for his country, Spain, Pau after many months of injuries sacrificed himself, came to Spain, returned to the team that made him grow, F.C. Barcelona to help them win their last league title and prepare for his last Olympic Games.

An Olympic Games that he has always been passionate about and that he more than anyone else represents his values. An alliance between sport, education and culture. Based on respect, friendship, excellence, universality and non-discrimination.

An athlete who has won everything in the world of basketball. Two NBA rings. He became the second Spanish player to play in the NBA after Fernando Martín. First to be chosen to play in an All-Star game.
First non-American player to be named NBA Rookie of the Year (in 2002).
Selected four times in the NBA All-Star team.

A highly respected person in all the cities where he played for his education and fair play. Barcelona, Memphis, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Antonio, Milwaukee and Portland.

Before dedicating himself to basketball, he studied medicine and has commented that in the future he wishes to complete his studies.
In addition to being an excellent player and his great education, friendship is one of the values in which Pau is most reflected. His teammates in different teams, those of the Spanish national team and especially the family of his great friend Kobe Bryant attest to this. From minute one of the great tragedy suffered, the family had the support of a Pau who did not hesitate to leave everything to help the widow and children of his friend Kobe.

His only daughter is named after him, Elisabet Gianna, in tribute to his friend's deceased daughter.
In addition to his achievements in the NBA, he has won World and European Championships, two silver medals and a bronze medal in the Olympic Games with the Spanish national team.
But that's not all; he stands out for his social commitment. He has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2003. And this same organization in 2019 named him "Global Advocate for Nutrition and the end of Childhood Obesity."
In this project he involved his brother Marc and they formed the Gasol Foundation to promote health and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits and prevent childhood obesity.
In all the cities where he has lived he has collaborated with charitable causes.

The Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) in 2012, published, "Pau Gasol embodies all that is good about NBA players and their charitable works, not only in their own communities, but around the world, working to help children reach their goals and have the opportunities they might not otherwise achieve."
He has helped advocate for women as coaches and is a fierce advocate for equality.
But in addition to Pau finishing his career, so do extraordinary players in the national team who have made up a magnificent team nicknamed "La Familia" (The Family).
His brother Marc, Rudi Fernandez, Felipe Reyes, Claver, Sergio Llull, Navarro, Calderon, Sergio Rodriguez, Garbajosa and others.

An unrepeatable generation led by Pau Gasol, a humble, respectful, polite, caring, professional and friend of his friends.
An athlete who has put Spain and Catalonia at the top.
A person who is above other sports legends such as Fernando Alonso, Indurain, Angel Nieto, Casillas, Iniesta, Epi, Manolo Santana, Estiarte, Severiano Ballesteros and others. It would be a huge list.
Pau Gasol is above them all, maybe his friend Rafa is at his level.                     
                  What a couple of friends we have in Spain! 

Farewell Pau because we will continue to enjoy your education, your respect and your social work.
And thank you for the great moments you have given us.
A real gentleman