On May 10, 2007, Barack Obama had not yet become President of the United States. Novak Djokovic had not won a Grand Slam title. Instagram did not exist. Luka Dončić was eight years old.
That same day, 19-year-old Sergio Llull signed with Real Madrid. Nearly two decades later, he has extended his contract for one more season.
And there is still no opponent who wants to see the ball in his hands when the game is on the line.
The Ball Goes to No. 23
“If we have one possession to win the game, the ball goes to No. 23.”
That’s what Facundo Campazzo said ahead of this year’s EuroLeague Final Four in Athens, referring to Llull’s unforgettable game-winning jumper against Olympiacos that delivered Real Madrid the 2023 EuroLeague title.
Last season, Llull averaged just 3.1 points and 1.5 assists in the EuroLeague while shooting below his usual standards. At 38, time has inevitably taken its toll.
Yet no one is surprised anymore when he banks in a high-arcing jumper, buries a three at the buzzer or remains the player his teammates trust most with the final possession of a close game.
Six More Years or Houston
The quiet kid from Menorca was never built to chase the spotlight. Had he possessed a more aggressive personality, perhaps he would have had a different career – not necessarily a greater one, but certainly a different one.
He almost certainly would have played in the NBA.
At his peak, Llull had everything required to succeed there: blazing speed, brilliant decision-making in transition, mastery of the pick-and-roll, endless energy, an exceptionally quick release and reliable defense.
Denver selected him with the 34th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, and he came close to leaving Spain on several occasions.
The closest came in 2017.
Houston Rockets coaches and executives flew to Spain. Llull spoke with James Harden and was nearly convinced to make the move. Then Florentino Pérez called and offered him a new six-year contract.
Financially, remaining in Madrid was hardly the better decision. Personally, however, it was exactly the one Llull wanted to make.
Who could blame him?
Leading by Example
Llull built his career patiently. He never minded waiting his turn or playing in someone else’s shadow.
Much like Kostas Sloukas, he gradually grew into the role of a leader rather than becoming one overnight. His influence increased year after year until he became the player teammates instinctively trusted whenever everything was on the line.
The defining moment came in 2017. Sergio Rodríguez had left for the NBA the previous summer, and Llull responded with the best season of his career. He won the EuroLeague MVP award and became the undisputed face of Real Madrid.
“I’ve never been the type to give speeches. I try to lead by example – through hard work, sacrifice and the way I practice. Leading by example means giving one hundred percent every single day,” Llull said, perfectly summarizing the philosophy that has defined his career.
Basketball had been part of his life almost from birth. At just two weeks old, his mother had already taken him to watch his father, Paco Llull, play.
“We practically had to tie him to the bench to stop him from running onto the court,” his father recalled, describing the energy that would later become Llull’s trademark.
“Off the court, I’ve always been a calm person – the complete opposite of who I am on it,” Sergio explained.
Leaving home at a young age, overcoming difficult moments in Manresa and relying on relentless work and undeniable talent, he earned his move to Madrid as a teenager.
The rest is history.
Three EuroLeague titles. Nine ACB League championships. Seven Copa del Rey trophies.
That trust never disappeared.
“As a coach, I always trust whatever he’s going to do on the court,” Pablo Laso once said.
More Than a Captain
Llull left an equally lasting mark with the Spanish national team, winning seven medals at major international tournaments, including four golds.
His impact, however, extended far beyond trophies.
He played a crucial role in building the culture of La Familia, always welcoming newcomers and helping preserve the values that defined Spain’s golden generation.
“Very few players in Spain’s history have Sergio Llull’s ability to bring people together, and that’s because of the kind of person he is. He is truly special, and I’m very grateful to have shared part of that journey with him,” Marc Gasol said at Llull’s farewell from the national team.
His international career is over.
His club career is not.
Nearly twenty years have passed since Sergio Llull first walked through Real Madrid’s doors.
Today, he is no longer simply another veteran.
He is the player who teaches every new arrival what it means to wear Real Madrid’s jersey.