Campazzo on Yabusele departure: “Hard to replace”

Real Madrid experienced several changes over the summer: some key players retired and others, such as Guerschon Yabusele, went overseas. In fact, after great performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics, the French center returned to the NBA, joining the Philadelphia 76ers. Facundo Campazzo, who faced a similar situation, leaving Real Madrid to play in the NBA, commented on Yabusele’s departure and the effect it will have on the team.

"These things can happen. It happened to me at one point. After his standout performance in the Olympics, where he had such a key role, it was a possibility. He’s a tough player to replace, but we have what it takes to do so. I wish him the best of success in the NBA," Campazzo said, per Spanish outlet AS. In addition to Yabusele, Fabien Causeur also left Madrid to join Olimpia Milano, while Rudy Fernandez and Sergio

Rodríguez have decided to end their careers.

"They had been here for many years and knew what the club represents. Now it’s up to us to carry on the legacy, stay united, enjoy ourselves, have fun, and work hard — all the things that come with playing for Madrid. And to help the new players adapt quickly. We have Llull, our leader."

The Spanish champions and vice-champions of Europe therefore did not sit on their hands and intervened in the market and signed Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Andrés Feliz, in addition to bringing Serge Ibaka and Usman Garuba back to the canotta blanca. Campazzo then also spoke i n detail about the new arrivals:

"I already knew them, maybe not Xavier (Rathan-Mayes) as well, though I had played against him. I remember he was tough to defend. When his signing was rumored, I watched some videos of him, and after seeing him train here, he’s a player of tremendous quality, a great scorer, a good passer, and he can handle the ball. He defends intensely and has a lot of skills. I love Andrés (Feliz) because he’s super competitive and a winner. He puts the team above himself, which fits perfectly with Madrid. He’s tough in practice, and I really like that — you can see he wants to win. Serge Ibaka is a true professional; he’s at the club 24/7 training, helping the young players… he does it all. He knows what it means to play for Madrid."