There are players who, despite always being a million miles away from any Ballon d’Or podium, will always be worth their weight in gold to the supporters who follow them. Mallorca’s Abdon Prats is one of those footballers.
The trademark tache, the golden goals that over the years have seen his team promoted to La Liga, or saved them from relegation, and the pottery pastime that helps him relax when he’s not playing are all part of the enduring characters of the Spanish football. which is located 90 minutes from the Copa del Rey final.
‘We know what it could mean for us to reach the final; and for the American owners, for Andy Kohlberg (the former tennis pro who is now majority shareholder and president). “He knows it’s a very big step for the club,” said Abdon, ahead of tonight’s semi-final against Real Sociedad with the first leg drawing 0-0.
‘Mallorca is back on the map of Spain, but if we reach the final and enter Europe we will also be back on the world map. There is great excitement about that. For the club it would mean an economic injection and (the opportunity) to bring in players who, in addition to those of us who are here, can help us grow and improve.”
Abdon has already written his name in the club’s history several times. His uncle Toni played in goal for the team. He came through the youth system but had to leave and build a reputation elsewhere as a lower-league poacher after limited opportunities at home.
Iconic Mallorca striker Abdon Prats is worth gold to the supporters – and he wants to put Mallorca ‘back on the world map’
Mallorca would reach their first Copa del Rey final since 2003 with a win over Real Sociedad
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In 2017, when they were in the third division, he came back and his goals helped them return to the second tier. Then his miracle strike in the play-off final against Deportivo saw them promoted to La Liga in 2019.
Two seasons ago he came off the bench to score a late winner in the penultimate game of the season, keeping him in the first division. After the match he was in tears. It will take something special to top those two moments, but taking Mallorca to their first cup final since 2003 (when Samuel Eto’o scored twice to help them to a 3-0 win over Recreativo) could be enough.
“Every time there was such a magical night, I had a feeling inside (that I was going to score),” he says. ‘I knew I would get an opportunity and that I had to handle it well when that happened. It’s about having belief in yourself. I believe in my ability to bring some happiness to all Mallorca fans.’
Over the years there have been times when he wasn’t the first choice and wasn’t tempted by the idea of moving on, but the pull of his hometown club was always too strong. This year he is the top scorer in the Spanish Cup with six goals.
They love him for the goals and because he harkens back to a simpler era when footballers had something more in common with the spectators who watched them.
“I have played in Segunda B, Segunda and Primera and I have been the same person in all those divisions,” he says. ‘Of course you earn more (playing at a higher level) and that can make life easier. But you must always keep your feet on the ground.
‘It’s difficult to be a professional footballer, in any division. But to reach the first division and stay there and have some magical moments along the way, and to be able to experience this love story between me and the club – that’s something I’m really proud of.”
Mallorca’s journey to the semi-finals started with semi-professional Galician Boiro. Some players would struggle in the modest environment. “I like it,” Abdon smiles. ‘I’m not the type of player who, because he’s in the first division, looks down the nose at footballers who, for whatever reason, have to work eight hours a day before training in the evening.
Real Sociedad drew 0-0 in the first leg in Mallorca and hosted on Tuesday evening
Prats (bottom centre) has played for Mallorca since their third tier and says he has been ‘the same person in all those divisions’
The attacker has a distinctive mustache and relaxes by making pottery, which he calls ‘therapy’
‘After the match they ask for your shirt and you ask for theirs. And they say, “Mine, really?” and sometimes they say that’s not possible, but you want a memento of those matches, because it’s part of your career.’
Apart from the glory of winning a trophy, the club could see themselves back in Europe if they reach the final. Will Prats play his part in that European adventure if it comes to that? ‘I’m 31 and would like to play another six or seven years; Let’s see if my joints hold up,” he grins.
It looks like it’s built to last, partly because it knows how to switch off. He crawls behind the potter’s wheel to relax, away from the field. “After this interview, I now have classes,” he says.
‘The two hours I have there help me to forget everything else around me, whether it’s a tough week or not, and I enjoy it a lot. For me it is a therapy that I discovered four or five years ago. And I make practical things. It’s nice to be able to drink coffee in the morning in a home-made cup.’
And what about that trademark? “We just had carnival here,” he says. ‘People dress up as Abdon! The children get one of those self-adhesive mustaches, or they paint them on. It’s very funny.’
The fake mustaches will come out again on Tuesday evening when Abdon scores another historic goal. Mallorca in a cup final for the first time in 19 years – it’s carnival time again.