Iñaki Urdangarin is looking to rebuild his life. After years marked by his time in prison and the breakup with Infanta Cristina, the former Duke of Palma is trying to reconnect with his past. That's why he was recently seen in Barcelona, a city that's key to his story and that of his family.
He lived there for more than 40 years, his four children —Juan, Pablo, Miguel, and Irene— were born there, and he shared a home with the daughter of the emeritus king. Although his current life takes place in Vitoria, where he lives with his partner Ainhoa Armentia, the emotional bond with Catalonia remains intact. His recent visit to an exclusive restaurant in the Catalan capital has drawn attention for its symbolism.
Iñaki Urdangarin had a very special dinner at Via Veneto
Urdangarin was one of the guests at a tribute dinner at Via Veneto, one of the city's most prestigious venues. The occasion was deserved: it was a celebration of Valero Rivera's career, his former coach at Barça handball. Rivera has been named honorary president of the club's section.
The event brought together some of the most representative figures from that golden era of Barça handball. Enric Masip, Xavi O’Callaghan, Antonio Carlos Ortega, and Tomas Svensson were among the attendees. The reunion was not only about sports: it also had an emotional and nostalgic tone.
The choice of restaurant was not random, since Via Veneto is synonymous with elegance and tradition, and has held a Michelin star since 1974. The venue, decorated in the Belle Époque style, was for years Salvador Dalí's favorite, who even organized performance dinners there.
Although it's not known exactly what the table ordered, the menu designed by chef David Andrés offers very refined options. It includes dishes such as scarlet prawn aspic with pink sauce ice cream or white asparagus coulant with carbonara. The menu stands out for mixing classic flavors with a modern presentation.
The desserts keep the level of sophistication of the main menu. Highlights include options like cookie tartlet with roasted pear and vanilla foam, or "drunken" sponge cake with Macallan whisky frozen air and burnt yolk. More than a dinner, it was a return to a glorious era and a reunion with his roots.
Infanta Cristina's ex bets on discretion
During the gathering, Urdangarin appeared relaxed, dressed in a striped jersey, light jacket, and white pants. Enric Masip shared a sober but meaningful photo, where he is seen smiling. It's an image that contrasts with the toughest years of his recent life.
In his first interview after leaving prison, Iñaki Urdangarin admitted that he felt time had slipped away from him. That reflection seems to have marked his new stage in life. Now he is looking to recover some of that lost time from a calmer place.
In this new chapter, the former athlete has entered the world of personal, business, and sports coaching. He has founded Bevolutive, a brand focused on supporting processes of change and transformation. It's a discreet project, but closely linked to his experiences and lessons learned.
Urdangarin has said that coaching has helped him reinvent himself after a difficult period. Although he has received criticism for his foray into this field, he asks to be valued as a person and not for his media past. He states that he has learned from his mistakes and that now he is looking to help others overcome theirs.
An unexpected reunion with Infanta Cristina
Shortly before this dinner, there was an unexpected reunion between Urdangarin and Infanta Cristina. It happened at their son Pablo's house, on the occasion of his sports contract renewal. Although it was a gesture without statements, the images captured revealed a more cordial relationship between the two.
The presence of both parents was interpreted as a possible beginning of family reconciliation. Ainhoa Armentia was not present, which further fueled media attention. Journalist Martín Bianchi summed up the moment with a blunt phrase: "Time and money heal everything."
From his new place in life, Iñaki Urdangarin seems more focused than ever on rebuilding himself. He doesn't seek headlines or front pages, but moments that reconnect him with who he was and who he can still be. The dinner at Via Veneto was not just a meal: it was a statement of intent.
He is no longer in the institutional spotlight, but he doesn't want to live hidden either. He reappears when he considers it necessary, with a firm step and a calm speech. His goal is clear: to build a new stage far from scandals, but without erasing the past.