Caparrós Battles Cancer Again
Sevilla FC Shows Support for Joaquín Caparrós After Colon Cancer Diagnosis, Ex-Coach Battled Leukemia Before
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Sevilla FC announced on June 26, 2026 that Joaquín Caparrós, the club's honorary president and legendary former coach, has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Diario de Sevilla reported that he is already undergoing medical treatment. The club sent him
This is not the first serious health battle for the 70-year-old. In April 2019, Caparrós revealed he had been diagnosed with chronic leukemia — and kept coaching. He became a symbol of resilience in Seville. Now he faces a second major diagnosis, and the club is rallying behind him once more.
Sevilla Rallies Around a Club Legend Under Treatment
Sevilla FC issued an official statement confirming Caparrós is "already undergoing the corresponding medical treatment," according to Sport.es. The club called on him to draw on his "habitual courage" and closed the message with a direct rallying cry: "¡Nunca te rindas, Joaquín!" — Never give up, Joaquín. Rival clubs Real Betis and FC Barcelona also posted messages of solidarity on social media.
La Sexta noted the club described Caparrós as someone who would rely on his "casta y coraje" — spirit and courage. That phrase carries real weight in Seville. It is how fans have always described him. The outpouring of support from across Spanish football reflects how respected he is far beyond the city.
A Career Defined by Comebacks and Resilience
Caparrós holds the record for the most official games managed at Sevilla FC — 241 in total, ahead of Unai Emery's 205. He was first diagnosed with chronic leukemia in April 2019 while still coaching the club's first team. He continued working. He later managed the Armenian national team from 2020 to 2022.
In April 2025, at the age of 69, he returned to manage Sevilla for a fourth time during a severe sporting crisis. He replaced Xavier García Pimienta. After completing that season, the club appointed him honorary president in July 2025. The role focused on representing the club institutionally and bridging the gap with supporters, according to El Desmarque.
Colon Cancer Is Spain's Most Common Tumor
Colorectal cancer is the tumor with the highest rate of new cases in Spain. Around 25,000 people are diagnosed every year, according to MD Anderson Cancer Center Madrid. For patients over 70, survival rates vary widely — from roughly 39% to 64% over five years — depending on what stage the cancer is caught at.
No details about the stage or severity of Caparrós's diagnosis have been made public. The club has kept its statement focused on support rather than medical specifics. Early detection significantly improves outcomes, and the fact that he is already in treatment suggests the diagnosis was made promptly.
Diagnosis Lands Amid Sevilla's Deepest Institutional Crisis
The news arrives at a turbulent moment for the club. Just one week earlier, on June 19, 2026, around 10,000 Sevilla fans protested under the banner "SOS Sevilla FC," demanding the resignation of the board of directors. The club carries a net debt of €88 million, according to Football Finance Lab. Personnel costs previously reached 99% of turnover — nearly double the healthy benchmark of 60–70%.
Caparrós had been the club's most trusted face with supporters — a buffer between a frustrated fanbase and an embattled board. El Correo Web noted the club expressed its "maximum support and affection" for him. With his treatment now underway, Sevilla loses its steadiest institutional voice at one of its most fragile moments.
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