Bombshell at Real Madrid: Mario Hezonja communicates his decision and leaves the club hanging

Real Madrid may be on the verge of losing one of its great stars. Mario Hezonja has informed the white club of his intention to leave the Madrid discipline and return to the NBA, a move that will force the sports management to rethink much of the planning for the upcoming season.

The information, revealed by journalist Chema de Lucas, comes just as the deadline expired for the Croatian international to avail himself of the specific clause allowing him to break his contract and head to the American league.

A calculated move

Hezonja's contract with Real Madrid extends until 2029 but included a clause that facilitated his exit only if he received an offer from the NBA. To activate it, he had to pay an amount close to 850,000 euros before the deadline set for this Monday, July 20.

The decision was not insignificant. If the player let that deadline pass, the amount of the rescission would increase considerably, complicating any operation with an American franchise during the rest of the summer.

Return to the NBA, getting closer

Although the news is a harsh blow to the white team, the possibility has been on the table for months. One of the clearest signs was the Croatian's change of representation agency to Misko Raznatovic, one of the most influential agents in European basketball with an extensive network of contacts in the NBA.

Already in the spring, Raznatovic hinted that Hezonja's return to the United States was a very real option, a scenario that then seemed distant to many but is now closer than ever to becoming a reality.

A tumultuous summer for Real Madrid

The possible departure of the forward comes at a time of significant changes within the basketball section. Real Madrid faces a new stage with Pedro Martínez at the helm of the bench following Sergio Scariolo's departure, a decision that did not go unnoticed by Hezonja.

The Croatian international publicly expressed his disagreement with the coaching change through social media, fueling doubts about his continuity despite having reiterated his commitment to the club on several occasions.

Now, everything indicates that the desire to compete again in the NBA has ultimately weighed more than the stability offered by Real Madrid. If the operation is confirmed in the coming days, the white team will lose one of its most decisive players and will have to turn to the market to cover a significant absence for the 2026-27 season.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bombazo en el Real Madrid: Mario Hezonja comunica su decisión y deja al club contra las cuerdas