Tribute to Pelayo Novo: A Life Rooted in Oviedo and the Asturian Community
The football world and the Asturias community continue to mourn the loss of former Oviedo player Pelayo Novo after a train collision in the La Corredoria district of Oviedo on Tuesday. He was 32 years old, never married, and had stepped away from professional football in 2018 to pursue adapted tennis. Teammates and friends are left grappling with the shock, tears still flowing as memories come flooding back.
Gonzalo de la Fuente stands among Pelayo Novo’s closest friends in football. The center-back shared a dressing room with the late player at Oviedo. From his earliest days with the club, Carbayón offered guidance as Pelayo rose to the first team. Gonzalo remembers their bond with warmth: Pela was a big-hearted kid. Even though I was not much older, Pelayo felt like family from the moment he joined us. I kept him close, and his integrity shone through every day, noble and sincere, a teammate who never hid his generosity.
He adds that Pelayo often brought humor to training. There were countless stories about his forgetfulness. He would train with the group while still part of the junior squads and would not head onto the pitch until someone nudged him. I recall times we had to fetch him from the locker room so the team could warm up nearby.
When reflecting on his playing days, Gonzalo notes that Pelayo rose quickly through the ranks. The Oviedo academy of that era carried strong values. He played for the club without money at times, earned a place on the A team, and always added something through his personality. His naivety and warmth stood out; it felt as if he might be adopted as family by those around him. His value was clear to everyone.
Juanma Marrero, another former Blue player who knew Pelayo well, shares memories: Last night I heard the news and I was stunned. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, yet we spoke occasionally about hopeful and exciting projects. Pelayo was always joyful, easy to get along with, and loved sharing jokes with friends. He had a cheerful, open spirit and listened with interest whenever someone spoke to him.
Pelayo’s Oviedo tenure coincided with a period of financial strain for the club, which faced debt and the challenges of playing in the lower tiers of Spanish football. We tackled internal issues as a tight-knit group, and Pelayo helped lift spirits with his positivity and humor. That same optimism sustained him through a life-changing accident on March 31, 2018, when a fall from a hotel left him with spinal injuries that forced retirement from professional football. Yet his determination to overcome remained a defining part of his story.
Pichi Lucas, who coached Pelayo for a season and a half, describes him with warmth: It is deeply saddening. He was a special person who loved to spend time with teammates, often sharing meals at a central Oviedo pizza place with his partner. He was bright, studious, and relentlessly upbeat. Always smiling and giving his best, he was remarkable in every sense.
As a footballer, Pelayo impressed with instinctive drive, often operating from a second line and taking on opponents with grit. He embodied the spirit of Oviedo and fought for the team, pulling others along with his energy. His presence drew people in and inspired many around him.
In recent days, Oviedo and the broader football world have united in shared grief. The club foundation expressed sorrow, calling Pelayo a guiding light and offering condolences to his family and friends. Official statements from Real Oviedo and Sporting reflected the deep sense of loss felt across the sport, while Adrián Barbón, head of the Principality, extended his sympathies. Authorities and clubs united in tribute to a life marked by warmth and resilience. The community honors Pelayo Novo as a figure whose kindness left a lasting imprint on teammates, fans, and the many stories that endure beyond the field.
Asturias remembers Pelayo Novo as a person whose warmth and resilience touched many. His legacy remains in the memories of teammates, fans, and the countless stories of his generosity that endure beyond the pitch. The community continues to reflect on his life as a beacon of optimism and human connection, a reminder of how sport can shape lives and bring people together.