Barcelona forward Ferran Torres has become the centre of online banter after “missing” his birthday in 2026, a non-leap year. Born on February 29, 2000, the Spanish international technically turns 26 this year, but fans jokingly insist he has celebrated just six “real” birthdays due to the leap-year quirk.
Social media users quickly tied the calendar oddity to Torres’ on-field reputation, with playful comments suggesting he has now “missed his birthday the same way he misses chances.” Others joked that the forward ages slower than his teammates, while some proposed virtual celebrations or a joint February 28–March 1 birthday to keep things festive.
Okay News reports that Torres’ next official leap-day birthday will come in 2028, when February 29 returns to the calendar. Until then, the light-hearted jokes underline football fans’ knack for turning even simple calendar facts into viral moments, adding humour to the sport beyond goals, wins, and losses.
The leap-year curiosity is not new for the Barcelona attacker. Last year, during the 2024 leap year, the club publicly celebrated his birthday, highlighting the rare distinction of being born on a date that appears only once every four years. For now, Torres joins the small global club of February 29 birthdays—waiting patiently for their next “real” celebration.
