Gerard Piqué seems to have enjoyed his time in Japan, but Japanese Internet users aren’t so thrilled.
Spanish soccer star Gerard Piqué, a member of FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, recently shared a video of himself that was shot in Japan. In the clip, Piqué is seen standing in his socks on a patch of artificial turf.
Someone kicks a soccer ball to him, and Piqué begins entertaining a surrounding group of cameramen by juggling the ball with his feet and knees. The crowd is seemingly there as part of a promotional shoot for sportswear company Nike, seeing as how Piqué tweeted the video along with the message “Thanks to @Nike Japan for this experience!”
However, Internet users in Japan aren’t feeling nearly so grateful towards Piqué, because after skillfully juggling the ball for about 25 seconds, the pro athlete decides the show is over, and he punts the ball high into the sky, sending it over the railing and falling down to street level at a far-off distance.
https://twitter.com/3gerardpique/status/884666563739226112It’s clearly intentional, since after a number of small, controlled taps with his feet, Piqué winds his leg back, extends his arms out to his sides, and punts the ball square on. As the camera follows its flight, you can see the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building, which stands in Tokyo, letting us know that Piqué just sent a soccer ball on a path to fall several stories to a random spot in one of the most densely populated areas on the planet. He doesn’t look particularly remorseful, either, beaming and chuckling as he casually gestures towards the impact point even as a staffer can be seen rushing out the door, no doubt to see if anyone was injured or any property destroyed where the ball fell.
Online commenters in Japan failed to see the humor, responding to the tweet with sentiments including:
“What were you planning to do if it hit someone and they got hurt?”
“The hell are you laughing about?!?”
“Wow. You’re an imbecile.”
“Looks like the heat has fried your brain.”
“I always suspected you were a shithead.”
One upset Japanese Twitter user even went so far as to air his disapproval in Spanish, calling Piqué, literally, “son of bitch.”
Hijo de puta.
— ぴぴー太 (@pipita_liga) July 11, 2017
In the video, some of the Japanese people can be seen chuckling as well. It’s worth pointing out, though, that in Japan nervous laughter and smiles are often used as a last-ditch effort to avoid direct confrontation, and even then, multiple online commenters called the staff’s reaction inappropriate.
Look, Piqué, we’re happy you got a chance to show people you can kick a ball really far. But honestly, your job already gives you plenty of opportunities to do that in a way that doesn’t endanger people who are below you in altitude, but by no means importance, so maybe save that kind of showing off for the pitch?
Oh, and if we find your ball, we’re keeping it.
Source: Kinisoku, Twtter/@3gerardpique

Amazing Japanese grade-schooler enters fast track to playing soccer for Real Madrid 【Videos】
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
A secluded British mansion in Chiba is a hidden holy land for afternoon tea lovers
Fake police phone scam also highlights dumb stereotype about how foreigners speak Japanese[Video]
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Awesome Ghibli Howl’s Moving Castle figure is also a puzzle and an organizer[Photos]
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Peach Coca-Cola coming to Japan in a world-first for the company
Amazing time-lapse video from China shows 1,300-tonne bridge built in less than 43 hours【Video】
Interview with Yoshiyuki Tomino, the creator of Gundam
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says