Llull makes history: 20 seasons in the EuroLeague

Sergio Llull wrote a new chapter in his career this Wednesday, November 4, by becoming the first player to reach 20 seasons in the EuroLeague. The captain of Real Madrid entered into the rotation of coach Pedro Martínez at the Movistar Arena, a debut that came after being out for the first nine matches of the continental competition. With this appearance, the Menorcan point guard definitively surpassed the record of 19 seasons shared by Lithuanian Paulius Jankunas and Greek Giorgos Printezis. Most notably, he has completed all 20 of his seasons wearing the same white jersey.

Memorable debut in game 10

Llull stepped onto the court in a match marked by absences in the white team. Facundo Campazzo could not participate due to a hamstring injury, forcing Pedro Martínez to turn to the Menorcan point guard. In 19 minutes and 53 seconds, Llull posted solid numbers: 8 points with a shooting balance of 1 of 2 in two-point shots, 1 of 2 in three-pointers, and a perfect 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. Additionally, he provided 3 assists, recorded 2 steals, added 1 rebound, and achieved a rating of 9.

His presence on the court had a positive impact on the game. Real Madrid was 8 points better than Panathinaikos while Llull was on the court. However, the match ended in a defeat in overtime by 112-115. The Greek team, led by Kendrick Nunn's 33 points, took the victory. After this match, the white team has a record of 6 wins and 4 losses in the competition.

A historical legacy in numbers

The numbers that Llull has accumulated in the EuroLeague are simply extraordinary. He has played 488 games, accumulating 334 victories and making 713 three-pointers. His official stats also include 4,348 points and 1,543 assists. Since his debut in the 2007-08 season, his career has been continuous without interruptions, highlighting his ongoing commitment to the competition.

Analyzing his participation by seasons, the last two years were the most demanding in terms of games played, with 40 matches each. In contrast, the 2017-18 season saw the least participation, with only 4 games played, all in the playoffs and the Final Four. This variability reflects the different circumstances that the player has faced over two decades.

Comparison with other greats of the competition

The gap that Llull has opened over his closest pursuers is clear. Behind him, Paulius Jankunas and Giorgos Printezis remain with 19 seasons. On the next tier are Felipe Reyes, Juan Carlos Navarro, Zisis, Kostas Sloukas, and Papanikolaou, all with 17 seasons. It is noteworthy that Sloukas, who is part of this group of players with extensive careers, was present on Wednesday at the Movistar Arena wearing the colors of Panathinaikos, where he scored 8 points.

European champion's accolades

Beyond individual records, Llull has accumulated a significant European trophy cabinet. In the EuroLeague, he has won three European Cups in 2015, 2018, and 2023. He received recognition as the best player in the 2016-17 season when he was named MVP of the competition and included in the best five of the season. In 2010-11, he was also part of the second-best five according to Real Madrid records.

The Madrid club highlights that Llull was selected among the 25 best players in the history of the EuroLeague and that he is part of the best five of the decade 2010-2020, a recognition that underscores his consistency over ten years. Recently, in September of this year, he won the EuroLeague Supercup in its first edition, a title that allowed him to reach 30 trophies with Real Madrid. At 39 years old, turning 40 on November 15, Llull continues to show that experience and talent have no expiration date.

Upcoming commitments

The Real Madrid faces a demanding schedule in the coming days. In the Liga Endesa, the team presents an undefeated record of 6 wins and no losses. On Sunday, November 8, at 19:00 hours, they will host UCAM Murcia at the close of round 7 of the domestic competition. In the EuroLeague, round 11 will again take the white team to the Movistar Arena, where they will face Crvena Zvezda on Thursday, November 12, at 21:00 hours. These matches will be crucial to maintain competitive pace following Llull's debut in the current European campaign.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Llull marca la historia: 20 temporadas en Euroliga