If you have visited Barcelona in the last 20 years you may well have seen this guy juggling a football at the top end of the Ramblas. His name is Joan Sabaté and he is known as El Maradona de La Rambla, today is his 65th birthday and he is going to retire, though he has said that his final performance will be on April 16th.
In 2005 some fun-lovers at the local council decided to ban him from the Ramblas and he was even arrested, having his ball confiscated. Joan was forced to move elsewhere to perform but he campaigned and finally managed to get the decision overturned and he returned to the Ramblas.
I have seen him countless times on the Ramblas, he always had a look of intense concentration on his face, and in all those years I have never once seen him lose control of the ball.
6 responses so far ↓
Taras // Apr 4, 2008 at 13:55
I have been to Barcelona in november, but I didn’t see him even though my hotel was right next to Ramblas.
Nick // Apr 4, 2008 at 14:23
What a star!
Jordi-FCB // Apr 4, 2008 at 14:34
Legend!
FCB // Apr 4, 2008 at 21:17
y was he banned??? wuts wrong with juggling a ball?
Joe // Apr 5, 2008 at 10:23
i noticed him last year when i visited Barcelona, though i didn’t pay much attention to his act. after reading i wish i did…
blaugranaboy // Apr 5, 2008 at 16:03
ive seen him a couple of times. he’s great. he must have such pure love for the sport
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