From Scoring Goals to Serving Tapas — Abdón’s Next Big Play
Footballer Abdón Prats has always known how to work a crowd — whether it’s 20,000 fans at Son Moix or a table full of hungry locals at his family’s spot in Artà. For years, the Mallorca forward, known as the Dimoni d’Artà, has been the hometown hero, dazzling fans with last-minute winners and celebrating every goal like it was the Champions League final.
Now, he’s stepping into a whole new arena — and this time, the pitch is covered in tables and chairs. With a proud and typically cheerful post on social media, Abdón announced he’s taking over Café Parisien, the much-loved restaurant his mother has helmed for more than 30 years.
Between training sessions and matchdays, he’ll be swapping goal celebrations for tapas recommendations — proving he’s just as comfortable running a restaurant as he is running onto a perfect through ball. It’s a move that blends family pride, hometown loyalty, and a healthy dose of ambition.
A Career Played Across Two Fields
Abdón’s roots in Artà run as deep as his love for RCD Mallorca, where he came up through the youth academy before making his professional debut at just 17. Since rejoining the club in 2017, he’s racked up over 250 matches and more than 50 goals, including some absolute screamers that are already part of club folklore.
Fans will never forget his Nit de Sant Joan goal in 2019 against Dépor, his last-gasp strike against Rayo Vallecano in 2022, or his unforgettable brace against Girona in the Copa del Rey.
But even during those moments of glory, Abdón knew there was another team waiting for him — Team Prats, back home in Artà, with his mum as player-manager and Café Parisien as their home ground.
Café Parisien: Where Tapas and Tradition Meet
Café Parisien has been part of the Prats family playbook for decades. It’s the kind of place where locals gather for cold beers, hot tapas, and long chats under the vines. The faded charm of the decor and the live music nights bring everyone together — from lifelong Artà residents to curious visitors just passing through.
The menu has Mediterranean soul, packed with fresh, local ingredients and dishes that don’t need fuss to impress. It’s the kind of honest food you want after a day at the beach or a tough training session — big on flavor, light on pretension.
A Family Legacy With Extra Time
For Abdón, this isn’t a quick transfer into hospitality — it’s a return to his roots. “I’m proud to keep building on everything my mother has created,” he said. “I grew up here. Who I am today comes from the love and effort she poured into this place.”
That sense of family, loyalty, and local pride is something Abdón carries onto the pitch too — which is probably why the RCD Mallorca faithful see him as more than just a player. His contract extension until 2024 confirms what everyone already knew: Abdón plans to retire in red and mentor the next generation.
But once the stadium lights dim and the final whistle blows, you’ll know where to find him — checking on the pa amb oli, greeting regulars, and proving that homegrown talent works just as well in the kitchen as it does on the pitch.
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