Mallorca mourns legendary president Miquel Contestí as flags fly at half-mast
The Balearic club pays tribute to former president Contestí, who saved Mallorca from extinction during his influential 14-year tenure from 1978-1992.
The man who rescued RCD Mallorca from the brink of collapse and led them through a transformative era has passed away at 92, with the club paying heartfelt tributes ahead of their weekend clash with Girona.
Club in mourning
Flags at Mallorca’s Ciudad Deportiva Antonio Asensio training complex flew at half-mast on Saturday as the club honoured Miquel Contestí, who served as president from 1978 to 1992 and passed away Friday at the age of 92.
The first team observed a respectful minute’s silence before their final training session of the week, with another minute’s silence planned before Sunday’s match against Girona at Son Moix Stadium.
A legacy that saved the club
Mallorca released an emotional statement acknowledging how Contestí’s death has deeply affected Balearic sport and everyone who holds the club dear. The tribute goes well beyond listing trophies or finals reached during his tenure.
What makes Contestí’s legacy truly special is that without his intervention, there might not be a Mallorca club today. When the situation looked utterly hopeless in the late 1970s, his courage and commitment ensured the club’s survival.
As the club statement poignantly notes, Contestí will forever be remembered as “the president who, when all seemed lost, knew how to save the club and restore hope.”
Widely regarded as Mallorca’s greatest president
During his 14-year presidency, Contestí transformed Mallorca’s fortunes and laid foundations that would eventually see the club reach unprecedented heights in Spanish football. His leadership created stability that allowed future successes to be built.
Born in Llucmajor in 1933, Contestí is widely considered the most important president in Mallorca’s history - not just for the sporting achievements under his watch but for literally saving the club from extinction.
Final farewell
Contestí’s funeral will take place on Friday, January 9th at 8:00 PM at the Church of s’Arenal in his hometown of Llucmajor.
For Mallorca fans of a certain generation, this is like losing a proper diamond geezer who rescued their beloved club when it was on its last legs. His contributions to island football can’t be overstated - without him, the Balearic football landscape would look completely different today.