By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Brutally honest about a contract extension with Real Madrid, Mario Hezonja revealed preferring to remain with the team based in the capital of Spain.
“I have no f…ing idea,” he replied to a question about his contract on Tuesday, “Florentino [Perez, president of Real Madrid] threatens me every time he sees me in the dining room to stay here.”
“Hopefully,” added the Croatian forward, a veteran of 335 games played in the NBA, on his intention to re-sign with Los Blancos, “We are all working to make that happen.”
Hezonja, 29, penned a two-year contract to join Madrid in 2022.
The team coached by Chus Mateo is preparing for the 2024 Final Four of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and defending the championship in Berlin. The Semifinals bring up a rematch of last season’s championship game against Olympiacos.
“It is not the time to talk or affect the team with individual stuff,” cleared Hezonja, focusing on the upcoming game to be held in Uber Arena on Friday and remaining following challenges in the Playoffs of Spain’s Liga Endesa.
“We have the potential to be the best team in the history of the EuroLeague,” he projected the impact of a possible back-to-back in Europe’s premier club continental competition.
After the Final Four, Madrid will resume action in the 2024 ACB Playoffs. With FC Barcelona up 1-0 in a best-of-three series versus Lenovo Tenerife, the Catalonia giant is one win away from setting up El Clasico in the Semifinals.