Ricky Rubio hints at retirement: “This is not a goodbye, it’s a thank you”

After a year away from professional basketball, Ricky Rubio shared a heartfelt message that suggests he is stepping away from the game for good.

“This is not a goodbye, it’s a thank you,” the Spanish point guard wrote on social media, alongside an image listing all the teams he played for and a phrase in Catalan: “Gràcies per l’assistència.” A quiet yet emotional farewell to the sport he embraced from a young age.

Rubio, 34, hasn’t played since June 2024. Over the past year, he’s focused on family and personal pursuits, enjoying basketball away from the spotlight. His latest post strongly hints at retirement—even if it stops short of an official announcement.

… I took this year to reflect on my career and my life, and I’ve realized that if I’ve gotten to
where I am today, it’s not because of the assists I’ve given, but because of the assists I’ve received. This isn’t a goodbye, it’s a thank you to all the people who have helped me… pic.twitter.com/nzf8AQIlaa

— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) June 5, 2025