Rommel Fernández
Rommel Fernández Gutiérrez (January 15, 1966 – May 6, 1993) was a Panamanian football striker who spent most of his career in Spain. Born in El Chorrillo, Panama City, he began with Plaza Amador, Atlético Panamá and Alianza in Panama. In 1987 he joined CD Tenerife in Spain, scoring 18 goals in his second season and helping Tenerife reach La Liga. He later played for Valencia CF (1991–1993) and was loaned to Albacete Balompié (1992–1993). Known as “El Panzer,” Fernández also earned recognition as a top South American and top Ibero-American player in Spain, winning awards in 1989–90 and 1990–91.
Internationally, Fernández represented Panama from 1986 to 1992. He debuted for Panama in the late 1980s and played in World Cup qualifiers, including a 1992 match against Costa Rica.
In Spain he totaled 104 La Liga games with 32 goals, and 162 appearances with 56 goals in major competitions for Tenerife, Valencia and Albacete.
He died in a car accident near Albacete on May 6, 1993, at age 27, after returning from a meal with teammates; his cousin Ronny Rojo survived. To honor him, the Estadio Revolución in Panama was renamed Estadio Rommel Fernández.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 20:40 (CET).