By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Argentinian forward was honored by Real Madrid president, Florentino Pérez, who presented the Argentine with a replica of the Whites’ stadium and his teammates, who gave him a jersey at the end of the ceremony.
Nocioni was emotional as a long journey comes to an end: “I want to thank Real Madrid for this tribute. It has all got a bit out of hand, I didn’t imagine that there would be a tribute of this scale. Everything that I’ve done in my career has been done naturally, nothing has been staged, it’s all come from within. I want to thank the president for welcoming me onto the stage in this manner and everyone who was involved in preparing this tribute, and the team for having given up their afternoon off to be with me here, the coaching staff, the physios, the doctors, the team delegate and everyone from the club who have been with me during my time here. I also want to thank all of the clubs I’ve played for, in particular Baskonia and the Chicago Bulls”.
While the player will always be associated with the Argentinian national tean and Baskonia, he admitted that the years in Madrid are special: “Real Madrid has given me the opportunity to be Chapu. They signed me to come here and show everything that I’d brought with me from Santa Fe and for me to showcase that out on the court. I feel very proud and I leave in a relaxed frame of mind knowing that I still have two months left here. I’ve given my all and that’s why I made this decision. It’s easy for a player who feels as if they have no more to give to bid farewell and that’s the truth. I’ve given every last ounce on the court. I’ve had a fun time with you, you’ve respected me, I came into your house and you accepted me as another one of you. I’d love to bid farewell by toasting glory amongst hugs and celebrations”.
And of course, being a part of Real Madrid and a EuroLeague champ is one of the hilights of his career: “Coming into an institution like Real Madrid has shown me that it has many values. I believe that it’s difficult to criticise that fact. I’ve been welcomed to Real Madrid as if I was one of you and I’ve been made to feel like a part of this club. Both me and my family have been treated well, with real respect. I’ve been taken in as if I was one of you and I’ve been made to feel a part of this club. As for the values, I believe that the Real Madrid values are great and I’ve got no issue in saying so.
That’s why the end is not bitter for Nocini: “It’s an honour to be retiring here. I’m 37 and never did I think that I’d retire in this way. Never did I see myself continuing to play and not wanting to finish. One of the things that has made me retire is because I’m at a team like Real Madrid. It has been a pleasure, the whole thing has been a pleasure. I’m happy to be here because although I spent only a few years here, you’ve offered me your affection and given everything I needed to focus on being a basketball player. I did my job, I felt at home and that’s also why I’ve performed well here”.
Madrid’s president Florentino Perezs added: “It’s a day of mixed emotions. It’s a special day for all madridistas because we feel a strange sadness, but at the same time we’re immensely proud. We’re here today to pay tribute to a man who has lived out his passion for basketball with real intensity. A man who has been capable of making himself into a true representative of Real Madrid’s core values, both on and off the court. Nocioni hasn’t felt the pain when he always played important games with swollen, ruined ankles. Dear Andrés, you have earned the respect and admiration of this club and of Real Madrid supporters, who, as you well know, are very demanding. I want you to know that this will always be your home. You’re one of our legends and we’ll never forget that. You’re part of our history and you have a place in the hearts of all madridistas”.