Sports journalism in Spain is mourning after the death of Manuel Esteban Fernández, better known as Manoletemythical journalist of the newspaper and the chain being that He died yesterday in his native Madrid at age 68 After fighting with a long and serious illness for several years. His name, and above all his voice, are part of the memory of several generations of football fans.
Manolete began his career at the EFE agency, but soon made the leap to the big sports media. Passed through the newspaper Mark And, since 1996, it became a key piece of the ASfirst as an analyst and then as a chief editor specialized in the Atlético de Madrid, the club of their loves. He had a special smell for signing news and a closeness with people who do not learn in any faculty.
💐 One of ours leaves us, but his memory and his legacy remain. Until always, Manolete.
– Diario As (@diarioas) August 8, 2025
The journalist Manolete dies
But if something really made it popular it was the radio. For almost three decades it was one of the most recognizable voices of the SER chain, especially in The crossbar and sports carousel. In fact, fuE José Ramón de la Morena who baptized him as Manolete When I was already a well -recognized journalist in the profession. His direct style, his passion and that way of telling what was happening won the love of companions, listeners and even sports rivals.
In 2021 he had to say goodbye to microphones. The Parkinson who suffered for a long time forced him to put an end to a race that had been, in his own words, “a wonderful adventure.” That goodbye was emotional and made clear the appreciation that everyone had: colleagues, players, coaches and, of course, the rojiblanca fans. Throughout his career, Manolete also dared with the books, signing titles such as The great game, next to Tomás Roncero, and I am from Atlético ¡and what! In addition, he received homes in life, such as the one in 2021 with the presence of President of Atlético, Enrique Cerezo, good friend of his.
Today, companions and friends fire him with messages full of love and admiration. Many agree that he leaves “a teacher”, someone who taught to inform, to love sport is never losing closeness with people. With its march, sports journalism loses one of its most beloved voices. But his legacy remains: decades of news, anecdotes, laughs and emotions shared with millions of listeners and readers.
Terrible news. A breed journalist, a good friend and a fucking uncle goes away. Rest in peace crack.
– Tomás Roncero (@as_tomasronce) August 7, 2025
