Xisco Quesada, a 28-year-old Spanish footballer who used social media in recent months to raise awareness about his battle with pancreatic cancer, passed away on Wednesday after failing to overcome a relapse. The news was confirmed by his family through a statement on the athlete's social media. "With great sadness, we want to announce that Xisco has passed away," the family note reads, requesting "respect and kindness" during this difficult time. The young man, a father of two, was diagnosed just a few months ago with metastatic pancreatic cancer and, since then, decided to use his Instagram account to "share his daily life without filters, showing his struggle, fears, and strength." Originally from Mallorca, Xisco married his girlfriend just 48 hours after receiving the diagnosis (pancreatic cancer with liver metastases) in June 2025. His journey, shared through videos, detailed the process of the illness and also served as a plea for help. Recently, Xisco was hospitalized at the University Clinic of Navarra after undergoing various treatments in public and private hospitals in Mallorca, where he lived. The decision to seek a new treatment, which began on January 1, was explained by him: "I asked myself: why endure a couple of days and leave when I can risk a treatment and perhaps never see my children again, but if it goes well, enjoy them for a lifetime? I was sure, I made that decision, I went." Since the beginning of the year, he had been hospitalized, missing celebrations like Christmas and New Year's Eve. Still, he maintained hope. "I seek that dreamed reunion at home with my family. […] At some point, the medications and drains will take effect, and I will be able to return home to my little ones, I am sure," he stated, assuring that as long as he was alive, he would continue to fight. In one of his last appeals, Xisco Quesada launched a campaign on the Go Fund Me platform to raise funds for private treatment. The initiative raised over 800,000 euros, which, if the treatment did not succeed, would be allocated to disease research and supporting his family. The former player represented lower-tier teams in Spain throughout his career, with the modest ADC San Pedro from Palma de Mallorca being his last club.
Xisco Quesada Mallorca remains central to this story.
Xisco Quesada Mallorca remains central to this story.
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