Spanish basketball legend Rudy Fernandez closed the final chapter of his Olympic career in Paris on Friday, as Spain fell 88-85 to Canada in a nail-biting group stage clash. The loss eliminated the team from medal contention and marked the end of Fernandez's 24-year journey as a national icon. 🇪🇸
At 39, Fernandez played his sixth Olympics—a record for Spanish basketball—but couldn't add to his medal collection (🥇🥈🥉) this time. Injuries and age limited his final game to 15 scoreless minutes, yet fans flooded social media with tributes to the guard's legacy. The Spanish Basketball Federation summed it up with a simple, emotional post: "Gracias."
💬 "We fought until the end," said Fernandez, who debuted at Athens 2004. "Seeing this team compete gives me peace for the future." His career spanned NBA stints, EuroLeague glory, and unshakable loyalty to Spain's national squad.
As the final buzzer sounded, the court became a stage for farewell hugs—a bittersweet 🎬 ending for a player who helped redefine European hoops. 📅 What's next? Fernandez hasn't revealed plans, but his impact on the game is already legendary.
