Valencia CF13 March 2019

A Centenary statue to symbolise an Eternal Sentiment

A bronze statue in a seat in the Tribuna Central section of Mestalla will be unveiled this Sunday

In the final game before Valencia CF's Centenary, a new addition to Mestalla that pays homage to the past, present and future will be unveiled. A bronze statue, located on Seat 164 of Row 15 in the Tribuna Central section, is an acknowledgement from the club of every Valencianista who has ever felt the 'Eternal Sentiment' present over the past 100 years.

There is an emotional story behind the statue itself, and its location in the stadium: Seat 164 was where Vicente Navarro Aparicio, Valencia CF member No.18,  sat at every home game until his passing. He would also travel to away matches, witnessing moments such as the 1967 cup final against Athletic Club, but would lose his sight at age 54 due to a detached retina. Whilst he was unable to watch his club, his passion for VCF never waned. Vicente kept coming to Mestalla, along with his son, experiencing games in a different way as he had the events on the field described to him. He was present for the 2004 double winning season, which he described as the happiest year of his life.

Although he and so many other Valencianistas are no longer with us, his is a story that exemplifies the passion fans have for the club. It is a sentiment worthy of celebration, and from Sunday's game against Getafe, Seat 164 will serve as a permanent reminder of what it means to follow Valencia CF.

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