Rakuten TV Premieres New Original Production: Bojan Krkić, Beyond the Smile

• The documentary focuses on the importance of mental health and all the adversities that the precocious talent from La Masia had to face.
• Throughout the film, well-known testimonials appear, including Andrés Iniesta, Gerard Piqué, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Frank Rijkaard, among others.

Barcelona, October 15, 2023 - Rakuten TV launches Bojan Krkić, beyond the smile, a documentary that explains in detail the career of the Catalan striker, highlighting all the difficulties experienced by one of FC Barcelona's greatest talents. It will be available on the platform in 42 countries from 3 November.

The documentary, which constantly highlights the importance of mental health in the career of the footballer from Linyola, begins with a conversation between Bojan Krkić and Doctor Monseny, the psychoanalyst who treated him during his most difficult moments at FC Barcelona. The visit to the doctor's office acts as a guiding thread throughout the film's plot.

The first part of the film reviews Bojan Krkić's career in the youth categories of FC Barcelona and his debut in the first team. A period in which he stands out as the top scorer in the history of La Masia and his difficult start in a dressing room full of stars and complicated moments.  Despite the mental struggles and anxiety attacks, Bojan shows an exceptional performance on the field, scoring 12 goals in his first season, sharing the front line with Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho or Samuel Eto'o.

The documentary deals in detail with the controversy surrounding Bojan's decision not to join the Spanish national team for Euro 2008, prioritising his mental health. This episode, key in his career, is examined in depth with the crucial testimony of his mother, who clarifies the reasons behind this decisive choice. Contrary to the official version, which claimed gastroenteritis, the real reason is revealed, unleashing a media controversy.

In this other part of the documentary, Bojan's second stage at FC Barcelona is explored, coinciding with the arrival of Pep Guardiola to the first team, a stage where Bojan begins to lose prominence in the team. A crucial moment comes in the Champions League finals in Rome and Wembley where the Catalan barely plays a minute.

Faced with this situation, Bojan opted to leave the club of his life, FC Barcelona. This process is painful, but allows him to explore new horizons and regain his sense of importance in teams such as Stoke City, Roma, Ajax, AC Milan, Mainz, Alaves, Montreal and Vissel Kobe.

Subsequently, Bojan returns to Barcelona, to Camp Nou, to retire and perform his farewell act. This experience transforms him into a much wiser and mature Bojan, looking to the future with hope and determination.

Testimonies and interviews are key parts of Bojan's documentary. Football stars, family and friends appear, sharing their experience and support in the most difficult moments of the striker's life:

- Joan Laporta - The current FC Barcelona president explains Bojan's arrival in the first team, his impact as a youth prodigy and the expectations generated.

- Andrés Iniesta - Bojan's teammate at FC Barcelona and Vissel Kobe. With 39 titles to his name, including a World Cup, Iniesta also faced anxiety and mental health issues, providing an additional perspective on this challenge. He was a key support for Bojan in difficult times. In Japan, their paths crossed again and they have a strong relationship.

- Gerard Piqué - Teammate and reference at FC Barcelona, also a close friend of Bojan. He will reveal Bojan's arrival to the first team and how he adapted as a minor in a high-level dressing room.

- Frank Rijkaard - FC Barcelona coach between 2003 and 2008. He bet on Bojan, making his debut at the age of 16. He tells of his key role in the beginning of Bojan's career.

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic - Bojan's position partner at FC Barcelona. Initially a starter, Bojan relegated him to the bench. Despite this, they maintained a close relationship and mutual appreciation. The Swedish striker contrasts their roles and personalities in the team.

- Thierry Henry - Bojan's teammate at FC Barcelona, he supported the youngster from Linyola in the dressing room. Thierry Henry arrived at Barça as a star after having excelled in England and the French national team. He was like a big brother to Bojan, protecting him. Henry will give us perspective on how Bojan adapted to the first team at 16, the difficulties he faced and how the dressing room handled the arrival of a prodigy.

- Txiki Beguiristáin - Key sports director in the commitment to Bojan in his formative stage at FC Barcelona, rejecting millionaire offers from other foreign clubs. His role is essential to understand the arrival of Bojan to the first team.

- Doctor Josep Monseny - Bojan Krkić's trusted psychoanalyst. Through a psychoanalysis session with him, Bojan will revisit the most difficult and decisive moments of his sporting career.

- Bojan Krkić y Maria Lluïsa Pérez - Bojan Krkić Pérez's father and mother have always been his support in his sporting career. Share with us how they experienced the key moments from their perspective, the struggles, the change of life and the suffering over many years. Their stories are essential to understand Bojan Krkić.

- Pau Clavero - Responsible for Nike signing Bojan Krkić as a child, giving him a sponsorship contract. It will help to understand the magnitude and the label of future star that he was given at the time.

- David Biosca - Childhood friend of Bojan Krkić. He accompanied him on his move to Stoke City in England. Along with his parents, he is one of the people who knows Bojan best, giving a close insight into his personality.

- Albert Om - Journalist who did the first interview with Bojan after leaving FC Barcelona. He marked a milestone by addressing his departure and challenges. Albert Om also presented his farewell, providing an outside perspective on Bojan, both as a person and as a footballer.

- Roger Saperas (RAC1), Sique Rodríguez (SER), Jaume Marcet (Barça TV) e Iván San Antonio  (Sport) - Sports journalists who will contextualise the figure of Bojan Krkić in his time at FC Barcelona, from the youth ranks to his departure from the club.

The documentary is directed by Oriol Bosch and produced by the audiovisual production company NSN (Never Say Never). The production took place in key cities in the player's career, such as Barcelona, Linyola, London, Amsterdam, Milan and Japan. In this new premiere, Rakuten TV as always uses its Original content to convey through empowering stories the core values of the brand - in this case mental health, which will be an important axis in its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy.

Bojan Krkić, Beyond the Smile will be available for free on Rakuten TV from 3 November. This documentary will be exclusive to Rakuten TV and will be available in 42 European countries as part of the Rakuten Originals collection.

About Rakuten TV      
Rakuten TV is one of the leading streaming platforms in Europe that combines TVOD (Transactional video-on-demand), AVOD (Advertising video-on-demand) and FAST channels (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) providing users with a universe of content and making the whole entertainment experience easier. 

The TVOD service offers an authentic cinematic experience with the latest releases to buy or rent in high audio and video quality. The advertising-supported offering comprises AVOD and FAST services. The AVOD service features more than 10,000 titles available on-demand, including films, documentaries and series from Hollywood and local studios, as well as the catalogue with Original and Exclusive content. The FAST service consists of an extensive line-up of over 500 unique channels among which 100 Owned & Operated (O&O) across Europe, including free linear channels from global networks, top European broadcasters and media groups, and the platform’s own themed channels with curated content. Rakuten TV is available in 43 European territories and currently reaches more than 140 million households via its branded remote-control button and preinstalled app in Smart TV devices.  
www.rakuten.tv

Rakuten TV is part of Rakuten Group, Inc., one of the world’s leading internet services companies, offering a wide range of services for consumers and businesses, with a focus on e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications.