Veteran Real Madrid fan Alvarez dies at 99

Veteran Real Madrid fan Alvarez dies at 99

Published Oct. 22, 2009 6:22 p.m. ET

Felix Perez Alvarez, Real Madrid's longest-serving registered fan, has died. He was 99.

Madrid says Alvarez, who died Thursday of natural causes, became a supporter of the football club in 1923 and remained a paying member for the next 86 years. During that time, Alvarez watched Madrid win 31 league titles and nine European Cups.

Alvarez, known as the team's "No. 1 fan," was well known among fellow supporters and the club rewarded him several times, most recently with a gold insignia in 1992.

Madrid, which would not say if Alvarez had any survivors, will wear a black armband to honor him during its match against Sporting Gijon on Saturday.

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