Missing Football Fan
Leeds United superfan vanishes in Barcelona en route to World Cup
Key Points
Hewitt himself described as a Leeds United supporters legend in a post on X, underscoring his prominence among Whites fans.
UK police opened a cross-border missing-person investigation with case reference 20260628/1183; Interpol has been alerted as inquiries continue about whether he traveled on to the United States or stayed in Spain.
The last confirmed contact with Michael Hewitt was from Barcelona in the early hours of Sunday 21 June while he was on a layover en route to Boston, with no sign he had reached the United States.
He left Leeds on June 20 to travel to Boston for a World Cup group game, via Barcelona, indicating a two-leg journey through Europe before a planned U.S. destination.
Family appeals include direct pleas for information, with brother Gary urging the public to help locate him and noting there has been no contact since the Barcelona layover, and asking to inform the FCDO if seen.
Michael "Little Mick" Hewitt, a 62-year-old Leeds United superfan, has been missing for nine days after his last contact from Barcelona on June 21, ITVX reported. He left Leeds on June 20 bound for Boston, Massachusetts, to watch England play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His phone went dead during a layover at Barcelona–El Prat Airport, and he has not been heard from since.
UK police have opened a cross-border missing-persons investigation under case reference 20260628/1183, and Interpol has been alerted, according to Yorkshire Live. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is also managing the case under reference 02470905. Authorities are trying to determine whether Hewitt ever boarded his connecting flight to Boston or remained in Spain.
Last Contact Came From Barcelona in Early Hours
Hewitt sent a text message from Barcelona in the early hours of Sunday, June 21, during a scheduled stopover on his way to the United States. After that message, his phone went out of service. There has been no social media activity and no contact with family or friends, The Mirror reported.
It is still unclear whether he left the airport terminal during his layover. Investigators have not confirmed whether he boarded his connecting flight to Boston. England played Ghana in Boston — ending 0-0 — and Hewitt, who has not missed a match in 40 years, was notably absent, according to LADbible.
Family Fears He May Be Injured or Worse
Hewitt's brother Gary described the disappearance as deeply out of character. "Football is his life, it's his passion and his hobby," Gary said. "That's why it's so worrying that he's going off to see England and losing contact with his mates," he told ITVX.
Sister Janet McCluskey said the family is "worried to death." "We can't eat or sleep," she said. "We're worried thinking that he may be laying injured somewhere or worse," she added, according to ITVX. The family is urging anyone who sees him to contact the FCDO immediately using reference 02470905.
Interpol and UK Police Coordinate International Search
UK police filed the missing-persons report on June 28 — seven days after Hewitt's last contact. Interpol has since been brought in to coordinate between British, Spanish, and American authorities, according to The Daily Record. Spanish police, the Mossos d'Esquadra, are involved in the local inquiry.
Investigators are checking phone records, credit card transactions, and airport CCTV to trace Hewitt's movements. The key question is whether he passed through border control at Barcelona–El Prat or vanished within or near the airport, Bristol Live reported. The FCDO's British Consulate in Barcelona is also reviewing footage from surrounding transport hubs.
Leeds United Community Rallies Behind Missing Superfan
Hewitt is a well-known figure among Leeds United supporters, described as a "legend" of the Elland Road faithful on social media. He has followed the club home and away for over four decades without missing a match. Fellow fans have been sharing his photograph across Spanish and American football forums in a bid to find him, according to Leeds Live.
The case has drawn widespread attention in the UK, with tabloids and regional outlets all covering the appeal. His disappearance comes as hundreds of thousands of fans are traveling through complex multi-leg routes to reach World Cup venues spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Daily Mail noted.
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