Banging the Memorable Drum Till the End: Spain and the World Mourn Manolo the Drum
Spain is in deep sorrow over the passing of Manolo el del Bombo.
Standing out as the planet's most epic football fan, Manolo "the Drum" left an indelible mark on Spain and the world of football. For more than four decades, Manuel Caceres, aka Manolo, thumped his drum in support of the Spanish national team, amassing an unprecedented reputation in the realm of fandom. He bid his last beat in a hospital in Valencia at the age of 76.
Known as "el del Bombo," or "the man with the drum," Manolo's drumming journey began in 1972 with a lower-league team in UD Huesca. In 1979, he was introduced to La Roja, and from the 1982 World Cup to 2010, he never missed a single international match.
Spain's ardent supporter had been battling breathing issues, as reported by the press on May 1, 2025. After 10 World Cups attended since 1982, and 8 European Championships, Manolo's last game was a dramatic encounter: the 5-4 penalty shootout victory of La Seleccion against the Netherlands in the Nations League quarter-final return leg on March 23 at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia.
The national team shared the news of the incomparable fan's passing, stating, "Today, one of our most devoted fans, who was always by our side, has moved on: We know that your spirit will continue to charge our hearts. Rest in peace, Manolo."
From Huesca to the Mestalla
Manuel Cáceres Artesero, born on January 15, 1949, in San Carlos del Valle (Ciudad Real), spent his childhood in Huesca, where he rooted for local clubs such as SD Huesca before traversing to Real Zaragoza and eventually settling in Valencia, where he acquired his first drum. Huesca's beloved fan became an iconic figure, not merely for his drum but for his oversized Basque beret and the fervor in his chants that made the Mestalla arena reverberate.
A Superbrand in Valencia
Cáceres launched his own stomping ground near the Mestalla under the name "Tu Museo Deportivo." Operating from 1986, the bar became a haven for sports enthusiasts and a platform for merchandising, selling branded lighters, scarves, and even wine. After facing financial woes in 2020, Cáceres was forced to shutter the establishment.
The Last Beat
Manolo's last public appearance was on March 23, 2025, at the Mestalla Stadium, where he celebrated Spain's triumph over the Netherlands. He passed away shortly afterward in Villarreal due to respiratory complications.
Transcending the boundaries of fandom, Manolo el del Bombo became a symbol of Spanish football passion and garnered international media attention as "the world's most famous fan." His drum, beret, and rousing chants will remain synonymous with Spain's football legacy.
Sources: ntv.de, dbe/sid
- Spain
- Football
- Manuel Caceres, popularly known as Manolo "the Drum" and "el del Bombo," started his drumming journey in the community of Huesca, cheering for lower-league team UD Huesca, before transitioning to Valencia.
- Over the years, Manolo's employment policy focused on supporting various sports teams, primarily football, and he became a key figure in the employment policy of La Roja, the Spanish national team.
- Despite illness, Manolo continued to regularly attend and support Spain in football competitions, such as the World Cups and European Championships, until his last game in 2025.
- The death of Manolo el del Bombo greatly impacted the community, with people cheering and expressing their condolences, recognizing his influential role in promoting and symbolizing passion for Spanish football.
