Former NBA champion Pau Gasol attended the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, expressing support for his home country. Gasol, a native of Spain, posted a photo with his wife, Catherine McDonnell, from the stadium during pregame festivities.
Gasol, a noted soccer enthusiast and longtime FC Barcelona supporter, has previously expressed admiration for players like Lionel Messi. He has been actively following the current World Cup tournament, commenting on the performances of top players. His investment in FC Barcelona's Liga F women's soccer team for 55 million Euros ($62.7 million) highlights his commitment to the sport.
Gasol's connection to Spain extends beyond soccer; he began his professional basketball career there, playing for FC Barcelona's basketball team from 1998 to 2001. He was later drafted into the NBA and enjoyed a successful career, most notably with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he won two NBA championships alongside Kobe Bryant. In 2023, the Lakers retired his No. 16 jersey, hanging it in Crypto.com Arena.