When Spain lost to Canada 88-85 in its final men's basketball group stage game at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Friday, the team was eliminated from the competition, which also brought an end to the career of veteran guard Rudy Fernandez.

"Gracias," the Spanish Basketball Federation posted online, using one word to say goodbye to the 39-year-old ball-handler.

Fernandez played 15 minutes and went scoreless in his final game, after appearing in six editions of the Olympics. Age and injuries kept him from saving the day for Spain, which hadn't missed the knockout phase at the Games since 2004.

"We fought until the end, which is what you have to do when you represent this team," Fernandez said. "It wasn't to be, but I'm leaving with a very good feeling because seeing the team compete in this way gives me peace of mind for the present and the future."

Fernandez's career highlights include leading Spain to four FIBA Eurobasket titles and two FIBA World Cup championships, as well as two Olympic silvers and one bronze.

"For me, it has been a privilege to train him. I think that very few players would have tried to play today in his condition, but we owed him the opportunity," Spain head coach Sergio Scariolo said while paying tribute to Fernandez. "As a player who has made the maximum effort during the game, to give what he had, as he has done throughout his career, isn't he a bit of an example that we have to follow?"

The opposing team also expressed their respect for the Spanish guard.

"The only thing I can say to him: Congratulations," Canada head coach Jordi Fernandez said. "He made me enjoy basketball for many, many, many years, starting in my hometown and my home team. So I'm very happy with for him, for his family, and I wish him the best for what's coming now."