Dani Jarque, the eternal captain of RCD Espanyol, has been immortalised with a life-size wax figure now part of the permanent collection at the Museu de Cera in Barcelona. The sculpture, officially unveiled on Wednesday, takes a place of honour next to another club legend, goalkeeper Ricardo Zamora.
The artwork depicts Jarque in the kit he wore on August 2, 2009, for the inaugural match at the RCDE Stadium against Liverpool, where he debuted as captain. British sculptor Michael Wade, linked to the prestigious Madame Tussauds in London, was tasked with capturing the player's features and serene gaze with precision.
An institutional and emotional event
The inauguration ceremony, presided over by the MH President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, was attended by Jarque's parents, Silvia González and José Luis Jarque, as well as Barcelona's deputy mayor, Albert Batlle, and the president of the RCD Espanyol Foundation, Antoni Fernández Teixidó. A broad representation from the club, including figures like Javi Puado, was also present.
The speeches were marked by emotional recollections of the player. Salvador Illa recalled that Jarque "was a great sportsman, but also a great person," a sentiment captured in "Iniesta's gesture during the 2010 World Cup victory." Albert Batlle highlighted his example of "teamwork, effort, and sportsmanship."
A four-year project
This initiative is the result of collaboration between the Wax Museum, the RCD Espanyol Foundation, and Xavier 'Màgic' Díaz, the player's former representative. The project began four years ago and was first presented on August 8 at the RCDE Stadium, coinciding with the seventeenth anniversary of his passing.
Fernández Teixidó emphasised the universal dimension the captain's figure now acquires. "Today we make him universal, we make him great." stated the Foundation president.
Following the presentation, 'Màgic' Díaz, along with Javi Puado and Lucía Vallejo, presented the armband with the number 21 to the captains of the club's youth categories, both male and female. The wax figure of Dani Jarque thus is a perennial symbol for all Espanyol supporters, who can visit it in one of the city's most iconic museums. Fans can learn more about the club's legacy and history on our stats page.
