“El Gran Capitan”. There is no need for an English translation for Raul Entrerrios’ nickname in Spain.

The 39-year old centre back has been the fulcrum of Spain’s golden generation for the past 15 years and is still going strong.

His determination, motivation and work ethic are the same since he was a fringe player for Ademar Leon and making his debut in Spain’s national team in 2003.

But as his career comes to an end, Entrerrios is even hungrier for success.

“I am very excited to be at Egypt 2021, my last IHF Men’s World Championship. It has been a long journey and it surely is very emotional right now,” said Entrerrios to ihf.info.

Egypt 2021 is his eighth World Championship, a story which started at a previous event in Africa, Tunisia 2005.

Back then, Entrerrios was 23 and playing his first games for the “Los Hispanos”.

“It is the memory I am the fondest of. Starting my career with such a success, with a gold medal, was brilliant and I was just taking everything in. It was just superb and it really gave me fuel for everything next in my career,” added the Spanish centre back.

“Another special memory was at Sweden 2011, when we won the bronze medal. It was a special tournament for me and my brother, Alberto, as we lost our mother a few days prior to the throw-off. We also played a little for her, we were very motivated,” said Entrerrios.

It was just the start of an illustrious career, which features a title and a bronze medal at the IHF Men’s World Championship, two gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze medal at the Men’s EHF EURO, a bronze medal at the Olympic Games, ten domestic league titles with Barcelona and two EHF Champions League trophies in 2011 and 2015.

Yet, the Spanish ace did not let success change his approach both in handball and in life.

“Of course, I have changed a little, because I have now more experience. My career has been great, I have won a lot of trophies, played alongside huge players and I am just happy I can end it on my terms,” said Entrerrios.

His trophy cabinet would have been richer, were it not for a devastating hand injury that left him out of Spain’s roster before “Los Hispanos” mustered a title run at home in 2013.

“The disappointment was great, not being able to go there and help my teammates, but I was very happy for them and for the Spanish handball. It meant a lot to everybody and we just want to emulate that feeling and those performances at Egypt 2021,” added the Spanish captain.

To put a finger on Entrerrios’ career, one should just have a glance at his stats for the Spanish national team.

Provided that Spain progress to the final weekend in Cairo, at Egypt 2021, he will tie former goalkeeper David Barrufet for the most appearances for “Los Hispanos”, 280.

It is an enormous feat and a testament of his longevity, with few players having been able to accrue so many games for their national sides in their careers.

“Really? It is great, I am just honoured to have represented Spain at this level,” commented the Spanish playmaker.

With his career coming to an end, Entrerrios is just focusing on Egypt 2021 and the Olympic Games, due to take place in Tokyo, this summer. Were it not for the COVID-19 pandemic, Entrerrios would not have been here, as his plans were to retire after the 2020 Olympic Games.

“Finishing everything off with a medal at the World Championship would be great and we are all working towards that,” underlined Entrerrios.

But handball will surely continue to be a part of his life even after his playing career is over.

Entrerrios has played under some of the greatest coaches the sport has ever seen, like Juan Carlos Pastor, Valero Rivera, Jordi Ribera and Xavi Pascual. 

“I, for sure, would like to take up coaching, because the transition will be quite difficult, handball is what I have done for my entire life and it will be very hard to break off with the routine,” said Entrerrios.

Asked whether he would would chose to coach Barcelona or the Spanish men's national team, Entrerrios replied with a smile and politely declined to reply.

But if his future coaching career will just be a glimpse of what he did on the court, Spain may have the next big great coach in their hands.