Iconic Brazil Football Fan Clovis Acosta Fernandes Dies Aged Just 60

Images of the 60-year-old weeping during Brazil’s 7-1 humiliation to Germany at the 2014 World Cup went viral.

The picture showed Fernandes clutching tightly to a replica model of the Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup Trophy with tears in his eyes as he attempted to come to terms with the astonishing defeat.

The “saddest man in Brazil” apparently later passed on his trophy to a German supporter, telling her: “Take it to the final!”

Mr Fernandes, who is known as “Gaucho da Copa”, gained fame in his homeland after following the national team to seven World Cups – spanning 28 years – which began at the 1990 tournament in Italy.

“Football today lost one of its most symbolic all-time supporters”, a FIFA social media account said.

Fernandes left his job as a pizza restaurant owner, with the permission of his wife, to dedicate his life to following Brazil around the globe.

According to Globo, Clovis passed away in Porto Alegre earlier this morning after finally succumbing following a nine-year battle with cancer.