The devotion to football and a specific team often transcends boundaries, exemplified by the story of Vicente Navarro Aparisio, among the most renowned supporters of the Spanish club Valencia, if not the most prominent. His legacy is eternally etched in the club’s history, commemorated at the “Mestalla.” His spot remains sacrosanct, as recent events demonstrate his enduring loyalty during even the most challenging times, such as the COVID-19 crisis, where he stood as the sole fan in the stands.
In March 2019, Valencia marked its centennial, an occasion marked by the unveiling of a statue in the stands, symbolizing the club’s profound connection with its supporters.
The bronze statue pays homage to one of the most dedicated fans, Vicente Navarro Aparisio, unwavering in his allegiance to the club.
Born in 1928, Vicente joined Valencia’s fan club at 20, attending every match religiously. Despite losing his sight in 1982 due to a detached retina, he continued to be a fixture at all home games. The ambiance and spirit of the stadium remained an indispensable part of Vicente Navarro Aparisio’s life until his final days.
The emotional tale behind the statue revolves around its placement in the stadium: seat 164, where Vicente Navarro Aparisio, member #18 of Valencia, faithfully occupied during every home game until his passing.
Introduced to the stadium by his father, Vicente and his father shared the experience of attending matches together. Later, he took his own son to the “Mestalla” to instill in him a love for the enchantment of the game.
Despite his blindness, Vicente traveled to Valencia’s away games, including the 1967 Cup final against Athletic. His sight was lost at 54 due to a detached retina.
Though unable to witness his favorite team play, Vicente’s passion for Valencia endured. Accompanied by his son, he continued to be a presence at the “Mestalla,” experiencing matches differently as his son narrated the on-field events. “We all went to the ‘Mestalla’ together. He soaked in the surrounding atmosphere, and I would describe the matches to him. Losing his sight intensified his love for Valencia. He was a familiar figure at the stadium. Before the Lazio match, we forgot our tickets, but they still let us into the stadium,” recounted his son.
Central stand, row 15, seat 164—this is the hallowed spot of one of the club’s most faithful fans, where he sat until his final moments.
He celebrated Valencia’s triumph in 2004, with Vicente deeming the championship season the happiest year of his life.
His narrative serves as a testament to the fervor that fans harbor for their club—a sentiment worthy of celebration. Seat 164 at the “Mestalla” now stands as a perpetual reminder of what it truly means to be a follower of Valencia.
