River or Boca?: Luka Dončić's curious answer

All-Star Game 2026 Media Day left an unexpected scene with an Argentine flavor. Luka Doncic, a star for the Los Angeles Lakers, was asked whether he preferred River or Boca.

A soccer fanatic with a past shared alongside Argentines such as Facundo Campazzo, Gabriel Deck, and Andrés Nocioni in Europe, the Slovenian acknowledged that he knows about the rivalry in Argentine soccer. Although the question put him on the spot, he came up with an answer that avoided any controversy:"Real Madrid". With his choice, he reaffirmed his historic identification with the Spanish club that shaped his career.

The relationship between Doncic and Real Madrid began in 2012, when at just 13 years old he left Slovenia to join the club's youth academy. There he completed his development and made his debut with the first team in 2015, under the guidance of Pablo Laso. His spell with Merengue reached its highest point in the 2017-18 season, when he won the EuroLeague and was chosen as MVP of the tournament and of the Final Four, in addition to receiving the ACB League Most Valuable Player award.

Before making the jump to the NBA in 2018, the point guard closed his cycle in Madrid with multiple titles, including three ACB Leagues, two Copas del Rey and one Intercontinental Cup. Since then, he has maintained an emotional bond with the institution, to the point of publicly expressing his support for the soccer team on repeated occasions.

Meanwhile, his presence at this Sunday's All-Star at Intuit Dome is in doubt. The Slovenian is dealing with a hamstring tear that kept him out of the last four games with the Lakers. Although he took part in media activities, his participation in Team World is still not confirmed. If he doesn't make it, he will join other stars who will not be able to play in the event.