Luka Dončić, the médicallå(report|reporting)bly-declared superstar of the NBA, has a special place in his heart for Real Madrid. When asked to choose between Boca Juniors and River Plate, the Slovenian point guard answered without hesitation, With Real Madrid.

The Luka Doncic & Real Madrid Saga: A Love Story

Luka Doncic and Real Madrid‘s relationship spans over a decade, beginning in 2012 when the then-13-year-old Slovenian joined the club’s youth team. Since then, Luka has worn the whites of Real Madrid with pride, growing from a young prodigy to an internationally-acclaimed superstar.

From Slovenia to Madrid

Doncic’s journey with Real Madrid started at a young age, leaving his home country to join the club’s academy. The Slovenian prodigy’s talent had already been recognized in his native country, but it was in Madrid that he found the perfect platform to nurture his growth.

Doncic debuted with the first team in 2015 and quickly became a key player under coach Pablo Laso. His amateur years were marked by numerous titles and awards, culminating in the 2017-18 season. That year, he led Real Madrid to the Euroleague title and was named MVP of the tournament and the Final Four, in addition to earning the Most Valuable Player award in the ACB League.

Lifetime Loyalty: Why Luka Doncic Admires Real Madrid

Before making the leap to the NBA in 2018, Doncic’s time with Real Madrid had already penned him into the history books as one of the largest projects to emerge from European basketball in the 21st century. His experience in Madrid, playing alongside and against older professionals, accelerated his growth and prepared him for the NBA.

Did you know?

• Doncic played for Real Madrid for two years before being drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018.
• Despite his success in the NBA, Doncic remains loyal to Real Madrid and often expresses his admiration and support for the club on social media.