By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Shortly following the start of the training camp heading to the 2024-25 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and domestic competitions in Spain, Alberto Abalde penned a contract extension with Real Madrid.
The new contract keeps the Ferrol native at Los Blancos until the end of the 2026-27 season, the team announced on Tuesday.
Abalde, 28, won the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague in 2023, two ACB championships, one Copa del Rey, and four Supercopa Endesa titles since joining Madrid in 2020. He previously played for Valencia, introducing himself to the EuroLeague, and Joventut Badalona. Beyond the club level, his international career is highlighted by representing Spain in the 2020 Olympic Games held in 2021.
Last season, he averaged 3.6 points and 1.9 rebounds per game over 29 appearances in the EuroLeague, including nine starts. His games played career total went up to 165. In Spain’s Liga Endesa, he tallied 5.1 points per game, helping the storied club capture the title for the 37th time in team history.
Preparing for the 2024-25 campaign, Abalde teams up with Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, Andres Feliz, Mario Hezonja, Serge Ibaka, Sergio Llull, Dzanan Musa, Xavier Rathan-Mayes, and Walter Tavares, under the guidance of Chus Mateo.
Gearing up for official action, Madrid has scheduled friendly games with Benfica on Saturday, AS Monaco next Wednesday, and Openjobmetis Varese next Saturday. Archrival FC Barcelona is the opponent in the first official game, in the Semifinals of the 2024 Supercopa, on September 21 in Murcia.