Pau Gasol hoping to 'offer something unique'
“I am very grateful and happy to be back home” said Pau Gasol on his official presentation as a Barça player. “It’s a very special moment for me. I left the club as a player 20 years ago and I have been doing different kinds of work as a club representative in recent years.”
“I am very grateful to the club for the welcome and all of its help, and to my family, because everything I’ve achieved is thanks to them … I am very excited to be joining this great team and doing what is asked of Saras and his staff, contributing something unique to the club and the team.”
“And thanks to the fans for their affection and the excitement that I can sense, which I’d like to repay with titles … I am working hard on my recovery and following the plan that I set with Saras, the coaches and the doctors. I don’t want to create any false hope but I think we’re on the right track. I saw the light a few days ago and now I’m looking forward to playing competitively.”
“It’s been a difficult process. I always wanted to give myself a chance. My discipline and hunger to play have pushed me to where I am today. I always knew that whatever happens I’ve had a grand career. But I want to end my career playing and enjoying competition.”
“I am just as ambitious and keen to do well as I was the day I left.”
Joan Laporta: ‘An honour to have you here’
FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta was also in attendance, together with the head of the basketball section Josep Cubells, first vice-president Rafael Yuste, vice-president Elena Fort, vice-president Eduard Romeu, sports manager Nacho Rodríguez, head of youth basketball Juan Carlos Navarro, the three team captains Pierre Oriola, Adam Hanga and Nicola Mirotic, and head coach Saras Jasikevicius. Gasol was also joined by his parents, his youngest brother, his wife and daughter.
Laporta commented that “we have leading players in all of our sections, and now we have the honour of having Pau Gasol, who has been a role model for Barça around the world. It is an honour for us to have you here. Welcome back to Barça.”
“Your return continues your story – a lovely Barça story.”