The legendary voice of UD Las Palmas, has died at the age of 92. For nearly half a century, his commentary was the soundtrack to the club's history, from its historic 1951 promotion to its European adventures, making him an inseparable symbol of football in Gran Canaria.
Born in El Hinojal de Arucas and raised in Moya, where he was named an Adoptive Son in 2017, Almeida discovered his passion for football at 18 following the local team. He witnessed the club's rise to the top flight in July 1951 firsthand. While working in a beverage warehouse and studying accounting, he trained at the Radio Art School Group in 1953, beginning a journey that would make him the club's auditory icon.
His journalism career started at Diario de Las Palmas, covering Canarian wrestling, regional football, and boxing. After stints at Radio Las Palmas and Radio Catedral, he landed at Radio Atlántico, where José Antonio Gutiérrez appointed him head of Sports. There he hosted the program 'Todo Deporte' and became a regular radio theatre actor. In 1994 he founded Onda Isleña, a station that became a benchmark, from which he retired in 2003.
A life dedicated to the club
His legacy is counted in over a thousand narrated matches. He called the 1972 Youth Cup victory against Real Madrid, European nights, and the sweetest moments in the Copa del Rey. Even when the team dropped to the third tier, his microphone remained on. His commitment went beyond reporting: he actively participated in the 1992 radio marathon that helped save the club and led to its transformation into a public limited sports company.
"The echo of his mythical narrations of the yellow team's goals will accompany us forever," Almeida once said, a phrase that now resonates powerfully. His voice was the thread connecting generations of fans to their team.
The club is now in a period of transition on the pitch, sitting 10th in the Segunda División with 10 points from six games. Their last match was a 1-2 defeat to Burgos, and their next fixture is a tough visit to second-placed Eibar on September 27. Fans can check the full schedule on our fixtures page and the squad status on the injuries page, which lists absentees like Juanma Herzog and Rafael Cruz.
Almeida's passing coincides with a time when the team seeks stability, with a record of two wins, one draw, and two losses in its last five outings. His figure will remain a fundamental pillar of UD Las Palmas's identity, a legacy that endures beyond any scoreline.
First reported at udlaspalmas.es
