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Brazil's 'saddest fan' is actually the team's greatest supporter

So sad.

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One mustachioed supporter in attendance at Brazil's 7-1 loss to Germany — a match already dubbed The Mineiraizo ("The Mineirao Blow") — was quickly declared the saddest fan in the world. The image of him pitifully clutching a replica of the World Cup trophy as he watched his team get abused by a relentless German attack spread through social media as the ultimate symbol of what every Brazilian was feeling in that moment and will forever feel about that match. But this was just one moment in an incredible collection of experiences for a devoted fan considered to be Brazil's 12th player.

Clovis Acosta Fernandes, better known as the Guacho da Copa since he always wears the traditional cowboy garb of his native Rio Grande do Sul, has followed Brazil around the globe and attended every World Cup since 1990. In addition to the seven World Cups, he has also attended six Copa Americas, four Confederations Cups an the Olympics for a total of 154 matches (he calls himself Brazil's most capped player) in 66 countries.

Always carrying his replica trophy with him, he became the go-to crowd shot star during Brazil matches long before the Germany loss. And perhaps because of his longevity as a supporter, as well as the fact that he's already witnessed World Cup wins in 1994 and 2002, the Gaucho da Copa didn't actually take the crushing loss quite as hard as the above image led many to believe.

After the match, he kissed his replica trophy along with a young German fan and, rumor has it, he then gave it to another German supporter, saying, "Take it to the final! As you can see, it's not easy, but you deserve it. Congratulations."

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)