Sons of Brazil superfan Clóvis Fernandes will continue his legacy and 'love story' at World Cup 2026

As the World Cup approaches, the sons of a Brazilian superfan known around the globe for his love of the team will be carrying on their father's adoration.

Clovis Acosta Fernandes became a familiar face to many football fans, as he travelled to support his beloved team while carrying a World Cup replica trophy.

He sadly died back in 2015, at the age of 60, after following Brazil to an incredible seven World Cups.

Fernandes watched the team win in 1994 and 2002, and earned himself the nickname of 'Gaucho da Copa' - meaning 'the Cowboy of the Cup' in Portuguese.

The name stuck due to his trademark outfit of a traditional gaúcho (South Brazilian cowboy) hat, teamed with a scarf, boots, and Brazil shirt.

In 2014 a picture of him travelled around the world when he was photographed crying, clutching his replica World Cup trophy, after watching Brazil lose 7-1 to Germany.

Fernandes became famous around the world for his dedication to Brazil (Pressefoto Ulmer\ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Now, his two sons, Frank and Gustavo Damasceno, are carrying on their father's legacy.

In 2022 the brothers travelled to Qatar to support their father's beloved team, and they will be doing it once more in 2026.

After his death, the brothers told Reuters: "Carrying his image is a tribute and people start to tell us keep going, carry his trophy, carry his hat! Many people say: after your father died, how can I watch the Brazil match without him? Your father will no longer be in the stands!"

On Instagram Frank wrote: "The Gauchos na Copa reach their tenth participation in the World Cups, carrying much more than a trophy: carrying an unconditional love story to the Brazilian National Team."

"This love started back there, with Seu Clovis — the eternal Gaucho of the Cup. And it grew. Turned into a flag. Turned into hat, mustache, yellow shirt, tears in the eyes," they wrote.

He was known for carrying his replica trophy to every game (Photo by EITAN ABRAMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images)

"It became a mission. Today, he lives in the heart of an entire generation who have learned from him what it means to cheer for real. Every kiss in this cup is a cry from the soul."

They added: "Every trip is an act of faith in football, in joy and in the unity of our people."

The brothers posed kissing the replica trophy, recreating the iconic imagery of their father.

They said his love of the beautiful game came from 'a lifetime on the road, of 250,000 km travelled following the Brazilian national team, to more than 70 countries, from the bench... from an old man who followed his mantra: 'Nothing happens without a dream', and just lived.

Looking to this year, they wrote: "We keep dreaming of the tenth World Cup participation in a row," and they'll be hoping for a Brazilian victory their father would have been delighted by.