The World’s Most Famous Football Supporter Passes Away
Manolo, the famous and beloved supporter of the Spain National Team, passed away yesterday at the age of 76.
Manuel Caceres, the passionate and legendary supporter of Spanish football, known worldwide as “Manolo El del Bombo” (Manolo with the Drum), passed away on Thursday at the age of 76, silencing the rhythmic beat that had accompanied the heartbeat of the Spain National Team for over four decades.
Caceres, with his iconic Basque beret and red No. 12 jersey, became a permanent fixture at Spain’s matches—a national treasure whose relentless drumming became the unofficial anthem of La Roja.
During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he told Reuters: “My goal is to retire after 12 World Cups—when I turn 77. If Spain qualifies for all of them. Even if I have to go with a cane, I’ll be there.”
His love for the Spain National Team began when he first traveled to Cyprus in 1979 to watch Spain play live. But the 1982 World Cup in Spain transformed him from a passionate fan into a cultural phenomenon, making his drum an inseparable symbol of Spanish football identity.
Caceres ultimately experienced two fewer World Cups than his ambitious goal. In total, he attended 10 World Cups but missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar. His last appearance was at Mestalla Stadium in Valencia during the Nations League quarterfinal against the Netherlands in March.
He told Reuters during the 2018 World Cup in Russia: “I gave up everything for football—my business and everything—but I’m still alive. I’m happy to follow Spain wherever they go. What more could I want?”
His fame was such that the Spanish Football Federation covered his travel and accommodation costs during the 2018 World Cup, as he had become a figure whose popularity sometimes rivaled that of the players.
The Spain National Team wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “One of our most loyal supporters has passed away, someone who was always with us in good and bad times. We know you will still beat our hearts with your drum. Rest in peace, Manolo.”
Caceres, who owned a café opposite Mestalla Stadium for over 30 years, made many sacrifices—both financial and personal—in pursuit of his great passion: the Spain National Team.
