The 64-year-old Real Madrid head coach receives Spain’s highest sports honor
Sergio Scariolo awarded Royal Cross Order of Sports Merit
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Just hours before leading his first practice in his second stint with Real Madrid, Sergio Scariolo was awarded the Royal Cross Order of Sports Merit by the Spanish Council of Ministers.
This prestigious distinction – Spain’s highest honor in sports – is granted annually by the King of Spain, upon the recommendation of the National Government through the Higher Sports Council. It recognizes exceptional contributions to Spanish sport across various ranks and categories.
Scariolo earned the award in recognition of his 15-year tenure as head coach of the Spanish men’s basketball team, where he built a successful program spanning youth development to the senior squad. Under his leadership, Spain captured the 2019 FIBA World Cup and four EuroBasket titles (2009, 2011, 2015, and 2022). He also guided the team to two Olympic medals: silver in London 2012 and bronze in Rio 2016.
Beyond his achievements on the court, Scariolo has shown deep commitment to social causes through the Cesare Scariolo Foundation, which supports children battling cancer.
Pilar Alegría, Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, praised Scariolo’s legacy, calling the award “the perfect ending to an impeccable path on and off the court.” She added: “He has elevated basketball to the highest level of global sport, always putting the team first. ‘La Familia’ isn’t just a nickname for the national team – it’s a philosophy, a unique bond between coach and players that continues to bring us joy.”
Alegría also emphasized the "inestimable worth" of Scariolo’s contributions to Spanish basketball. Notably, Scariolo becomes the first non-Spanish citizen to receive the Royal Cross Order of Sports Merit, joining an elite group that includes Pau Gasol, Rafael Nadal, Andrés Iniesta, Teresa Perales, Arantxa Sánchez-Vicario, Carlos Sainz, and Miguel Induráin.
“I’m proud to be included on this list despite not being a Spanish citizen,” Scariolo said. “I’ve always tried to give everything I could to Spanish sport, especially the national team, to make it competitive and admired worldwide. This award belongs to the entire team that allowed me to share our passion for basketball and achieve great results.”
He continued: “Together, we’ve built a sports culture that transcends medals and titles. It’s a culture that embraces players of all ages and showcases the best values of sport. I share this honor with my former teammates in the national team – they deserve it as much as I do.”