Alex Abrines has announced this Tuesday 22 July his retirement from professional basketball. The Barça captain says goodbye to the game after 10 season at FC Barcelona in two separate spells, 2012 to 2016 and then 2019 to 2025, after having made 660 appearances for the Club, winning 15 trophies. 

The Mallorca born player will be 32 in August and had a contract until 30 June 2026. After talking to the Club, an agreement has been reached to end the relationship between the two parties early. FC Barcelona thanks Alex Abrines for all his hard work and the top quality basketball he brought to the team over 10 season in the Palau Blaugrana, which will always be his home, and wishes all the best in this new chapter in his life. 

Farewell letter to the Culers

In a letter to the Barça fans, Abrines says "the time has come to say goodbye." He continues: "After an intense professional career, I have moved through stages very quickly and it is time to live the life I want to, to choose my own path, and that nothing more than to spend more time with my family and friends. Basketball, in this case Barça, has given me everything." 

Abrines also highlights the magic of the Palau and the Barça fans: "The Magic of the Palau, I use capital letters to show how I feel, is what has made us great, what has made us win trophies, what has brought about great comebacks and what has touched me on many occasions. You, the Dracs, Meritxell, Sang Culé and the rest of the supporters' groups and fans will always be in my mind because I have grown up with you and in time I have been able to recognise EVERYTHING you do, you do with a passion and love for the colours that will be always be with me." 

660 games 15 trophies 

First wearing number 10 and then 21, Abrines made 606 appearances for Barça in official competition. Not including legends such as Epi and Solozabal, as in there are no reliable statistics from their era, Arbines is second on the all time list of appearances for Barça, behind Juan Carlos Navarro (1,139) but ahead of Ante Tomic (593). 

Abrines came to Barça from Unicaja at the age of 18 and won the league in 2014, the Cup in 2013, the Super Cup in 2015 and four Catalan league titles. In 2016 he moved to the NBA and Oklahoma City Thunder before returning to Barça at the age of 25. In his second spell he won eight more trophies; two league titles, two Cups and four Catalan League titles. 

Aside from the trophies, Abrines scored 474 three pointers at 41.5% in the ACB league, only behind Epi and Juan Carlos Navarro for Barça in the all time list. 

 

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