Manu Ginóbili, reference point of Argentine basketball who reached the top with the national team and in the NBA. Photo: AP Photo / Eric Gay.
This Thursday Emanuel Ginóbili turns 45, the best Argentine basketball player in history and one of the most consecrated athletes of all time.
Manu was born on July 28, 1977 at the Italian Hospital Bahía Blanca. The childhood of the youngest of the brothers was spent in the Bahiense del Norte club. Always with an orange ball in hand, surrounded by friends and with the desire to improve. Thus the legend was formed.
Manu had a dream from an early age: to play basketball like his brothers and his father. He possessed a special talent. And I knew it. But he was also aware that he had to work hard and strive to achieve his goal. It was not an easy road. She had to overcome the obstacles.
His sporting career is an accumulation of successes of all kinds. Some unthinkable before their appearance on the world stage. But also, as in any fighter’s life, there have been falls. On this special date, we remember 45 moments that marked his life.
1- The first disappointment
In 1994 he suffered the worst disappointment a fan can experience: go down with his club. in that season Northern Bahia He had to play against Puerto Comercial de Ingeniero White to see which club was relegated to Bahia’s local second division.
After losing, Manu called his father who was in Mar del Plata to apologize for losing the category with his second home. In the background could be heard the disconsolate cry of a child who has matured with his first fall.
Manu Ginóbili and his first big disappointment. Photo: Twitter.
2- Debut in the National League
The September 29, 1995 Manu Ginóbili made his National Basketball League debut at the age of 18. He was with the shirt of Andean club de La Rioja in front of Peñarol di Mar del Plata (later directed by Nestor What Garcia, current TD of the national team). He played with 6 behind him and scored three triples in 13 minutes. That season he was named the best rookie of the tournament.
Manu with the shirt of Andino de La Rioja. Photo: National League.
3- Homecoming and first record
After his one-year adventure in northwestern Argentina, he returned to his hometown to play Bahía Blanca student club. It took two seasons to make history. In one of his 100 games with that shirt he broke his first great record by scoring 41 points in the victory of his team against Andino for 124-111.
Manu Ginóbili plays a match with Estudiantes de Bahía Blanca. Photo: Marcelo Figueras.
4- He shared the court with his two brothers
On November 3, 1996 for the first time the three Ginóbili brothers shared the parquet in an official match. Leandro and Sebastián played for Deportivo Roca, while Manu defended the Estudiantes colors. The brothers scored 33% of the points in that game which ended 114-110 for Rio Negro. A strong dynasty in the National League.
5- Arrival in Europe
Long before the successes with the Spurs in the NBA and with the Argentine national team, Manu had his time in the Old Continent. He played for two clubs in Italy. In 1997 he came to Viola Reggio Calabria where it started to explode. Within a few years, her surname would be on everyone’s lips. That first phase was essential for growth.
6- Debut in the national team
On 30 June 1998 Manu Ginóbili made his debut in the national basketball team.. It was against Nigeria, in the second round of the 1998 World Cup in Greece. The Golden Generation shooting guard added 7 points in that group stage match that ended with a 68-51 victory for Albiceleste. That day a love was born that lasted 104 games and three titles. He wasn’t wearing the number 5, on his back he was wearing the number 13.
Source: Clarin
