English Football Fan Missing En Route to World Cup Found Safe After 10 Days in Barcelona

Michael Hewitt, a 65-year-old devoted Leeds United and England football fan, disappeared after traveling from the UK to the United States for the World Cup but was found safe in Barcelona, Spain, after 10 days. Hewitt had stopped in Barcelona for a brief layover before continuing to Boston, where England played Ghana to a 0-0 draw. Shortly after arriving in Barcelona on June 20, he lost his mobile phone containing all his travel documents and contacts, leaving him stranded without internet access or knowledge that his family was desperately searching for him.

Hewitt, nicknamed "Little Mick" by friends, did not contact the British embassy as he still had his passport and money and did not realize he needed assistance. Instead, he spent his time watching England matches in local bars, unaware of the widespread search efforts involving the British Foreign Office and Interpol. His family, including his brother Gary, had circulated appeals on social media to find him.

The British embassy in Spain eventually located Hewitt's hotel by tracking his credit card payments and reestablished contact with him and his family on July 1. Gary Hewitt expressed relief and gratitude on Facebook, highlighting the positive outcome and the global support that helped bring his brother home safely.