• Crisis: Last minute of the coronavirus

A Manolo Caceres everyone knows him as Manolo 'El of the hype' but this nickname could be about to disappear, literally, because at 71 he is retiring, the bar is closed, do not plan to open more and meditates auctioning some of his drums because, with only "four hundred odd euros" that he enters now a month, he needs money to eat.

"They have come many times to buy me the bass drum and I always said that I would not sell it for anything in the world, but now I am willing to do it," Manolo told EFE in a conversation that started with tears and ended with a resounding statement: " I'm retiring. If it can be next month, the better. " He had nearly closed his shop twice before. In 2011, due to the entry into force of the Anti-Tobacco Law and in 2018, due to the sale of the premises. Now there seems to be no going back.

Manolo, who has been cheering on the Spanish team for 45 years with his inseparable hype, is retired by a virus and the crisis. "I had invested in gender for these three months because the Fallas came and there were league games left. I am in the red and the bar is no longer open. In June I ended the rental contract because it would get worse," he explained.

Manolo's bar is located one hundred meters from the main facade of Mestalla , in Valencia, a city where he settled more than three decades ago and from where he has traveled all over the world to support the team and various Spanish football clubs. . The accounts do not come out. "I earn four hundred and a half euros, which is what I pay for the mortgage, plus the expenses of the flat. With retirement I will enter eight hundred. I don't know what we are going to do, but I have to eat and I don't know if they will auction the hype," said the follower. best known in Spanish football, who wanted to thank the owner of the premises for having forgiven her rent months.

True to the selection

What Manolo still does not know is how he will find the money to continue traveling with the Spanish team because his intention is to be in two more World Cups to reach the number twelve he has on his shirt.

Manolo has, as if it were a work of art, hanging in his bar, located in the square of the fans of Valencia CF, the drums with which he encouraged the Spain of the titles, in the Eurocups of 2008 and 2012 , and its most precious asset, that of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa . "We will see what I do," he insisted.

The call received on Friday afternoon by former player Ricardo Arias , one of Valencia's ambassadors, encouraged him as much or more as the income that some friends have made for him. "Arias has told me that he also had a bad time. I think Valencia will also help me," said Manolo, who, however, does not regret anything that has been done.

"I have spent all my money on football and soccer, but I am very proud of everything," recalled Manolo, who above all his travels recalled his odyssey to see Iker Casillas lift the 2010 title.

"In Mexico 86 all the Spaniards had a great time, but South Africa was superior, because I got sick, I returned to Spain and then I returned for the semifinals and the final. I also had a great time in Venezuela. They called me to cheer to the Spanish sub team, 16 in which were Iván de la Peña and Iván Pérez, Alfonso's brother, "he said. He also nostalgically recalled his stay in ten World Championships and the 15,000 kilometers he hitchhiked at the 1982 World Cup in Spain to see the best games.

"From Alicante to Valencia, I went in an ambulance with one dead," said Manolo, whose worst nightmare was the 1980 Recopa final, in which Valencia beat Arsenal on penalties and which was marked by aggressions by fans. English to Valencianistas in Brussels and pointed out that Huesca, Zaragoza and Valencia are the three teams he has at heart.

However, Manolo's voice changes when he explains his daily tribute to the health personnel. "Every day at eight o'clock I go out on the balcony with my five flags of Spain and I play the hype with all those who come to play with me. This weekend will be special," he finished referring to Sunday, the last day with scheduled applause.

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  • Valencia CF
  • Iker Casillas
  • sports
  • First division
  • Spain National Soccer Team

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