Presenting the Real Madrid-Dallas Mavericks match
'It's going to be a special day for all madridistas because our beloved Luka Doncic is coming home,' said Butragueño.
This midday at the Real Casa de Postas in Madrid, Real Madrid and the Dallas Mavericks introduced the exhibition match that the two teams will play this Tuesday, from 8.45pm, at the WiZink Center. The President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso; Real Madrid's Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño; as well as Chus Mateo, Rudy Fernández and Felipe Reyes attended the event. On behalf of the Dallas Mavericks, their general manager, Nico Tyrone Harrison, and Luka Doncic, a legend of our team, who returns home five years after making the leap to the NBA, were present.
Butragueño spoke at the opening ceremony: "This is a major event that confirms what Madrid means as one of the world's major capitals. Everyone who loves basketball is going to enjoy a game that we'll never forget. It will be the ninth clash against an NBA team and it will be held just a few months after winning the Undécima in Kaunas. As madridistas we're very proud of what this team is achieving. This is one of the most important winning periods in our history: 25 trophies, including three European Cups. We have already won the Super Cup in Murcia this season.
"It is a huge honour for Real Madrid to be able to compete against one of the biggest clubs in world basketball. It's a real source of great emotion for all of us madridistas and for everyone who loves basketball. It's going to be a very special day for every madridista. One of the world's great basketball and sporting heroes, our beloved Luka Doncic, is returning home".
The importance of Doncic for madridistas
"Dear Luka, an honorary member of Real Madrid, we thank you for becoming an ambassador of Real Madrid in the United States and around the world. We are thrilled when you share our football and basketball triumphs. You have developed, you have been educated and you have taken with you the values that are transmitted at Real Madrid. You are now one of the great figures in the NBA. You are well aware of how much we love you and you will see for yourself tomorrow when you step out onto the court. Thank you again, Luka, for loving Real Madrid and enhancing our legacy. We will welcome you tomorrow as a legend and honorary member of Real Madrid".
Butragueño spoke at the opening ceremony: "This is a major event that confirms what Madrid means as one of the world's major capitals. Everyone who loves basketball is going to enjoy a game that we'll never forget. It will be the ninth clash against an NBA team and it will be held just a few months after winning the Undécima in Kaunas. As madridistas we're very proud of what this team is achieving. This is one of the most important winning periods in our history: 25 trophies, including three European Cups. We have already won the Super Cup in Murcia this season.
"It is a huge honour for Real Madrid to be able to compete against one of the biggest clubs in world basketball. It's a real source of great emotion for all of us madridistas and for everyone who loves basketball. It's going to be a very special day for every madridista. One of the world's great basketball and sporting heroes, our beloved Luka Doncic, is returning home".
The importance of Doncic for madridistas
"Dear Luka, an honorary member of Real Madrid, we thank you for becoming an ambassador of Real Madrid in the United States and around the world. We are thrilled when you share our football and basketball triumphs. You have developed, you have been educated and you have taken with you the values that are transmitted at Real Madrid. You are now one of the great figures in the NBA. You are well aware of how much we love you and you will see for yourself tomorrow when you step out onto the court. Thank you again, Luka, for loving Real Madrid and enhancing our legacy. We will welcome you tomorrow as a legend and honorary member of Real Madrid".
Doncic: "Everyone knows what Real Madrid means to me"
The president of the Community of Madrid then handed over a commemorative plaque to Doncic, who said: "I'm proud to receive this award. It's going to be a very special day tomorrow and there will be a lot of emotions. Everyone knows what Real Madrid and Madrid mean to me. Thank you very much to everyone".
Díaz Ayuso: "It will be a celebration for all the fans"
Isabel Díaz Ayuso then took the floor: "It will be a game that will see two of the best teams in the world take on each other. It will be a celebration for all the fans. This match has aroused a lot of expectation, not only because it puts Real Madrid, the current European champions, up against an NBA leader, but also because Doncic will be playing against his former teammates".
"It is an honour to welcome him to our home and it reminds us that he will forever be another Madrileño. When the people of Madrid watch the NBA, he is one of our role models". The presentation of the game concluded with a group photo.
The president of the Community of Madrid then handed over a commemorative plaque to Doncic, who said: "I'm proud to receive this award. It's going to be a very special day tomorrow and there will be a lot of emotions. Everyone knows what Real Madrid and Madrid mean to me. Thank you very much to everyone".
Díaz Ayuso: "It will be a celebration for all the fans"
Isabel Díaz Ayuso then took the floor: "It will be a game that will see two of the best teams in the world take on each other. It will be a celebration for all the fans. This match has aroused a lot of expectation, not only because it puts Real Madrid, the current European champions, up against an NBA leader, but also because Doncic will be playing against his former teammates".
"It is an honour to welcome him to our home and it reminds us that he will forever be another Madrileño. When the people of Madrid watch the NBA, he is one of our role models". The presentation of the game concluded with a group photo.