Miquel Contestí Cardell (1933–2026) was one of the most influential and respected figures in the history of Real Club Deportivo Mallorca. Born in s'Arenal de Llucmajor, he devoted much of his professional and personal life to serving his island and, in particular, to the survival and consolidation of Mallorca's football club, to which he will forever be linked as the president who saved it in its darkest hour.
A businessman and lawyer by training, Contestí took over as president of Mallorca in August 1978, when the club was in a critical situation, both sporting and economic. The club was on the verge of disappearing, debts threatened its continuity and the future seemed doomed to decline. It was then that Contestí decided to step up and take on a responsibility that would mark the future of Mallorquinismo. With determination, ingenuity and a deep sense of belonging, he managed to stabilise the institution, gradually restore it to health and restore its ability to compete.
During his 14 years at the helm of the club, between 1978 and 1992, Mallorca experienced one of the most important periods in its history. Under his presidency, the club was promoted to the First Division three times and laid the foundations for the team to consolidate its position in Spanish professional football.
Beyond the results, Miquel Contestí stood out for his understanding of the club: approachable, austere and deeply committed. He was a club president in the most classic sense of the term, who understood the position as a service and not as an end in itself, and who knew how to maintain Mallorca's identity in a time of great difficulties and transformations in Spanish football. He was the last great president of an era prior to the conversion to a public limited sports company, and his legacy served as a bridge between traditional and modern Mallorca.
Contestí was also a man deeply connected to football from a young age, knowledgeable about the history of the club and respected both on and off the island. His name lives on in the collective memory of Mallorquinismo, recognised by generations of fans, supporters' clubs and the club itself as one of the great icons of its history.
The death of Miquel Contestí at the age of 92 has come as a profound shock to Balearic sport and to all those who feel that Mallorca is their own. His legacy is not measured solely in promotions or finals, but in having ensured that the club continued to exist. Thanks to his courage and commitment, Real Club Deportivo Mallorca was able to survive, grow and write some of the most important pages in its history. His figure will forever be linked to that of the president who, when all seemed lost, knew how to save the club and restore hope.
Rest in peace.