Séan Garnier Freestyles a Pickup Soccer Match

I found this video posted on Google+, and it was about an abuelo (grandfather) who wanders into a pickup soccer match.  It is totally awesome, and is my way of celebrating the advent of another FIFA World Cup.  I was in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia for the 2006 Cup (Germany), and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2010 (South Africa).  Now I am back home in Chicago, and looking forward to another thrilling international tournament (Brazil).

Of course I was curious about who this dude was:

Most people can kick a football - some can do a kick-up or two - but Arnaud “Séan” Garnier possess the skills to make a football dance. The freestyle football star hails from Sens in France, and began his football career like most – on the pitch. Unfortunately, a string of injuries eventually forced Séan to abandon his dream of a career as a professional footballer. But all was not lost – he began to study as a football instructor in Paris, and in 2006 discovered a new passion that combined break dancing and football; the urban art of freestyle football. Séan quickly found his groove, developing his own style and unique set of skills. Within two years, he went from demoing on the streets of Paris to the world stage, and in 2008 was crowned World Champion at the inaugural Red Bull Street Style World Finals in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the spiritual home of freestyle.

Reference: Séan Garnier.

I was also curious about what Tiendas Coppel, the YouTube channel, was:

In an ad for Coppel, a Mexican credit card company, Garnier disguises himself as an old man -- in a suitably ill-fashioned track suit -- and then wanders onto a pick-up match among young players. With some coaxing, he makes his way onto the pitch. At first, he feigns old age, moves slowly and gives up the ball easily. But shortly after that, the game is afoot.

There's already plenty of debate online whether the whole thing was staged. There are several signs pointing to yes -- the camera angles, the attractiveness of the fans in the stands, the said defender who gets nutmegged five times -- but even if it was staged, the ad provides a fun stage to show off Sean Garnier's impossible skills. Believe or don't believe, you'll still enjoy.

Reference: Freestyle Soccer Legend Shocks Pick-up Match.

Writer Winston Page is absolutely right: Staged or not, this video was super-awesome.  I love the filming and editing, and I love the players' and fans' reactions.  I am happy for Garnier for nailing this commercial gig with Coppel, and I'm sure it was big for me and also well-deserved for his years of effort.  May future endorsements come along.

Thank you for reading, and let me know what you think!

Ron Villejo, PhD