Valero Rivera: A Legend’s Final Season with HBC Nantes
Present alongside his captain at the season’s opening announcement, Gaël Pelletier, president of HBC Nantes, paid tribute to one of the greatest players in the club’s history. A true loyalist and the all-time record holder in the “H” jersey, Valero Rivera is preparing to hang up his boots at the end of the 2025–2026 campaign.
“I couldn’t even say how many contracts and extensions we’ve signed with Valero over the years. What I do know is that, by the end of this season, he will have spent 14 years at HBC Nantes. In the middle of those 14 years, there were two short seasons of ‘infidelity’ to the ‘H’, but we fully understood them, since it was for his boyhood club, Barça. That gave him the chance to reach the Final4 twice without us—once with his club and once just to watch us play the final in 2018.
What I’ll always remember about Valero is that he grew step by step alongside the club. The club grew with him, and thanks to him. We grew together until we became the team we are today.
A chapter of HBC Nantes history will close with Valero’s retirement, but he said it himself: we still have one season left to play. My wish, for him and for us, is that this season unfolds in the best possible way and that we achieve something the club has not yet accomplished. That would be the greatest way to thank Valero for all these years of progress.”
The president, nostalgic, recalled the last contract they negotiated together, over coffee at Paris airport several months ago:
“We concluded the deal in two minutes, I think. The only difference from previous years was that he told me this would be the last contract he’d ever sign. That’s how our final negotiation went—very simple. Our relationship with Valero has always been straightforward. There was never any ambiguity about our ambitions or his motivation to work with the club.”
Since the departure of his former teammate Rock Feliho, Valero Rivera has taken on the captain’s armband with exemplary dedication.
“Thank you, Valero, for everything you have given to this club—and for what you will continue to give until the very end. In our team, we still have players who need to gain experience, and I know how much effort you put into your role as captain, passing on our values.
A big thank you. I wish you—and us—a great season ahead, because we still have so many beautiful moments left to share together.”
