Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has something else on his mind, in addition to another Champions League title this weekend and signing Kylian Mbappe this summer. That’s bringing NBA star Luka Doncic back to Real Madrid to finish his professional career, where it all started.
Last month, Perez visited Doncic to watch game three of the Dallas Mavericks first-round playoff against the Los Angeles Clippers. The NBA’s 2023-24 scoring champion currently leads his team 3-1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.
After six NBA seasons, Doncic could very well be on his way to his first NBA title. He’s also set to earn the most lucrative max extension in NBA history, five years worth $346 million plus.
But the 25-year-old former Real Madrid could just be getting started. Sorry, Florentino.
Doncic debuted for Real Madrid at 16 and led the club to the 2018 EuroLeague title in Belgrade two years later. Unquestionably, he’s one of Los Blancos best-ever basketball players, inspired by his idol Ronaldo, whom he met at a Real Madrid Christmas dinner at 16.
Doncic is a Madridista through and through. “You want to get Luka to talk, you talk Real Madrid. If you want to piss him off, you talk about Barcelona,” says Dallas Mavericks boss Jason Kidd on Doncic.
So it’s no wonder Perez wants the Slovenian back at the club when it’s all said and done stateside. But business is business — let’s see if Doncic can get his ring(s) first.
Photo: x/pedritosilva
