The Dutchman who made Badalona his home at just sixteen years old

BarcelonaHe left the streets of Amsterdam behind when he was just sixteen. It was summer, and he was leaving home for the first time. His destination: Badalona. "I was really excited because it was a huge step for me, but I was also scared. It hurt to leave my friends. Even today, sometimes I miss them a lot," he recalls with a shy smile. The offer came suddenly, with hardly any time to think about it. "I arrived in the morning, did a training session, and that same day they offered me a five-year contract. I said I had to think about it, but I already knew I would sign," he says. Yannick explains it matter-of-factly, as if the memory of that teenage decision still seems simple to him.

The first few days in Badalona, ​​however, were a harsh dose of reality. "I remember feeling awful in the car on the way there. I was alone, my friends were still on vacation, and I was starting a new life. But when I arrived at the residence and met the other guys, everything changed. We were all young, all with the same dream. I immediately saw that it wouldn't be so hard."

A New Life in Badalona

He matured in Catalonia. "I've spent my entire adult life here. There are many things I learned for the first time in Badalona." When he speaks of the city, he does so fondly: "I wouldn't say I'm Catalan, but I do feel a bit like I'm from Barcelona. It's my home, too." Part of his family stayed in the Netherlands, and another part came with him. "My mother has lived here since I arrived. My father and my younger brother are still in Holland." He doesn't speak Catalan, although he gets by in Spanish: "Not Catalan, but I do speak some Spanish," he says in English.

What surprised him most about Catalonia is the people. "Everyone here is very open. You can go into a café and talk to anyone. In Holland, people are colder. Here, everything is warmer," he says. And despite the distance, he maintains a constant connection with Amsterdam. "My friends are my family," he says without hesitation. "I talk to them every day... More than five hours a day. I try to get them to come and see me, but they all have their own lives. I often bring someone over every month, but it's not easy," he explains.

The Yannick of today is not the same as the one who arrived at just sixteen years old. "In Holland, I learned to have fun with basketball, but here I learned all the fundamentals, everything it means to be a professional. I didn't know any of that before coming here. I've learned everything here," he says. Matchday is sacred: "I do exactly the same thing every time. I eat the same food, go to sleep at the same time, and even during warm-up I have my routine. If you put a camera on me on a matchday, it would be the most boring movie in the world."

He recalls the most special moments: "The first time I played against Barça, with the Olímpic packed, was incredible. Also the Copa del Rey in Málaga. One of my fondest memories." And when he talks about his role models, the names multiply: "I've had many veterans who have helped me a lot. Ante [Tomić] taught me a lot about how to move without the ball. And Sam [Dekker], about the game in general. They've all contributed a lot." He also remembers with gratitude the coaches who made a mark on him. "In Amsterdam, I had two coaches who trained me for free every summer. Then, at the professional level, Dani [Miret] was key. He had a lot of faith in me," he says.

A Look to the Future

The player looks ahead with serenity, but also with a touch of nostalgia. "After my career, I'll definitely come back home. I love my country, I love my city. Amsterdam is the most beautiful city in the world. But I'll certainly keep a house here, because I love it so much. Outside of Amsterdam, this is one of the best places to live," he explains. On the court, he plays with energy; off the court, with calm and sincerity. He knows the road to get here hasn't been easy, but when asked if it's been worth it, he doesn't hesitate for a second.