Facundo Campazzo admitted that he wanted to return to Real Madrid but is also happy with the decision to join Crvena Zvezda.

Credit: MZT Skopje/Danail Petrovic
Credit MZT Skopje/Danail Petrovic

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade guard Facundo Campazzo admitted that after the NBA stint, his priority was to return to Real Madrid.

Campazzo spent five seasons with Real, winning two EuroLeague, three ACB, and two Spanish Cup titles.

The Argentinian guard left Real during the 2020-21 season, but the return was not meant to be.

"My priority was to come to Real Madrid," Campazzo admitted during the interview with the Israeli outlet Sport5. "We negotiated, and we didn't succeed, but it doesn't mean anything."

"I'm grateful to them that they already gave me a chance to play in the EuroLeague and allowed me to move to the NBA. They helped me a lot, they were for me, but we just didn't reach an agreement," Campazzo added.

However, Campazzo also said that he's happy in Belgrade and didn't hesitate when the offer from Crvena Zvezda came. 

Meanwhile, Luca Vildoza was another reason that led to a decision to sign with the Serbian team.

"I didn't hesitate, I already played with him, [Vildoza]. He's a good friend," Campazzo continued. "We've known each other since we were kids, we also played for the national team, so I didn't really hesitate."

"The fact that he's in Zvezda is one of the reasons I came. Crvena Zvezda is a team with a lot of history and with crazy fans that I enjoy playing in front of. The Serbian people are similar to the Argentinian in terms of passion, which is one of the reasons for coming to Zvezda because of the passion they bring to basketball," added Crvena Zvezda guard.

One of the hottest topics with Campazzo's arrival was the fact he won't be able to make his EuroLeague season debut until March after the club received sanctions.

However, the 31-year-old also admits that the EuroLeague ban doesn't bother him anymore.

"The fact that I'm not playing in the Euroleague doesn't bother me anymore. I don't control it, and it's not in my hands, so I'm saving my strength for training and getting ready as best as possible for the day when I'll play. I can't wait for March 2," Campazzo concluded.

Campazzo is having a solid campaign in the ABA League, averaging 13.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 2.3 steals per game in 7 contests.

Up until Thursday, Crvena Zvezda had a 4-game losing streak, dropping to an 11-13 record and 13th place in the EuroLeague standings. However, the Serbian club is only one win away from 8-10th-placed teams.

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Free throws this season

78%
13,7
Points made: 13,7
Accuracy: 78,1%
Place in standings: 10
Record max: 22
Record min: 1
Most made FTs: Nemanja Nedovic