News
Ferran Torres mural vandalised in Joanic square
The urban tribute to Ferran Torres for Spain’s World Cup win lasted only a few hours intact in Barcelona. The mural painted by TVboy near Joanic square, in Gràcia, was found covered with white paint and anti-Spain messages after its unveiling on Tuesday.
The artwork showed the FC Barcelona forward kissing the Copa del Mundo while wearing the national team shirt. Above the image, the words “Making History” could be read, along with two stars referencing Spain’s titles in 2010 and 2026.
The footballer was the clear focus of the mural. Ferran Torres came off the bench and scored the only goal of the final against Argentina in the 106th minute, on Sunday 19 July, giving the team its second world championship.
TVboy had chosen one of his usual walls around Joanic, where he has previously portrayed figures from sport, politics, and culture. During the process, the artist mentioned that a young girl quickly recognised the forward as she passed by the painting.
For a few hours, the intervention turned this corner of Gràcia into a small meeting point for onlookers, fans, and locals who stopped to photograph the scene. The image linked the sporting celebration with the neighbourhood’s street art tradition.
Overnight, the painting was partially covered and slogans supporting Catalan teams appeared. The attack added a political dimension to a work conceived as a tribute to the Barça player from Valencia and his decisive performance in the final.
TVboy has said he will continue working despite such actions. His murals are ephemeral by nature, and other sports tributes in Barcelona have also been altered, damaged, or replaced shortly after appearing.
The scene leaves two very different images on the same wall: first, Ferran Torres lifting the cup as a symbol of shared celebration; later, white paint covering part of the tribute. In Gràcia, the victory has also become a debate about identity, football, and public space.