By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Real Madrid is set to resolve one of its major domestic lineup dilemmas ahead of the upcoming 2026-27 season as Argentine Gaby Deck is on the verge of obtaining a Spanish passport, as reported by MARCA on Monday.
This development will allow the 31-year-old forward to officially occupy an EU player slot, concluding his status as a non-EU athlete after eight years of service with the club. Under strict ACB regulations, Spanish teams are limited to fielding only two non-EU players per game across domestic competitions, which previously forced coach Sergio Scariolo into a difficult rotation cycle. Throughout a rollercoaster season that ended in a disappointing exit in the Quarterfinals of Spain’s Liga Endesa Playoffs 2026, the 65-year-old Italian tactician routinely had to leave either Deck, Trey Lyles, or Chuma Okeke out of the domestic squad. While this restriction did not apply to EuroLeague fixtures, it severely disrupted team chemistry and defensive consistency between domestic and continental competitions.
Deck, a regular with the senior national team of Argentina, recently confirmed on social media that his application has been submitted and is awaiting a final decision. His club status update arrives as Los Blancos are looking to rebuild after their first trophyless season since 2011.
🏆❌ For the first time in 1⃣6⃣ years, both Real Madrid’s football and basketball teams finished a season without winning a major trophy pic.twitter.com/1oJdx8tfaI
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 8, 2026
From starting his career in Argentina, the Anatuya native joined Madrid in 2018. After a brief NBA stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2021-22 campaign, he returned to the team based in the Spanish capital and was crowned Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion in 2023.
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