Manuel Caceres, the drum-pounding Spanish soccer superfan recognized worldwide as “Manolo el del Bombo”, died on Thursday on the age of 76, silencing the rhythmic heartbeat that had accompanied Spain nationwide staff for over 4 many years.
Together with his trademark outsized Basque beret and crimson quantity 12 shirt, Caceres turned as a lot a fixture at Spanish matches because the gamers themselves – a percussive nationwide treasure whose relentless drumming supplied La Roja’s unofficial soundtrack.
“My purpose is to retire after 12 World Cups, which can make me 77, if Spain qualify for all of them. I will be there even when I’ve to go together with a strolling stick,” the Spanish fan instructed Reuters on the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
His love affair with the staff started when he first travelled overseas to look at Spain play in Cyprus in 1979. The 1982 World Cup on residence soil remodeled him from a passionate supporter right into a cultural phenomenon, along with his drum changing into inextricably linked to the Spanish footballing identification.
Caceres finally fell two tournaments in need of his bold aim, attending a complete of 10 World Cups however lacking the 2022 showpiece in Qatar. His closing look got here at Valencia‘s Mestalla stadium in the course of the Nations League quarter-final towards the Netherlands in March.
“I’ve given up all the things for soccer – my companies and all the things – however I am nonetheless alive. I am completely happy, I can comply with Spain wherever I am going. What extra may I ask for?” he instructed Reuters on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Such was his fame that the Spanish federation coated his journey and lodging in the course of the showpiece in Russia, recognising a person whose superstar typically rivalled the gamers’ themselves.
“One in every of our most loyal followers has handed away, somebody who was at all times with us via thick and skinny. We all know you will maintain rocking our hearts. Relaxation in peace, Manolo,” the Spanish staff wrote on X.
Caceres, who ran a bar reverse the Mestalla stadium for greater than 30 years, made large private and monetary sacrifices in service to what he known as the good ardour of his life: his nationwide staff.
