appearing with the main squad in 2010–11, making his debut on 9 October after replacing Rovérsio late into the first half of a 2–2 draw at UD Las Palmas. He totalled 12 games (ten starts) and two goals, as the Andalusians returned to La Liga after a two-year absence. Health and death On 5 March 2011, after undergoing a routine check-up due to back problems, Roqué was diagnosed with pelvic cancer, undergoing surgery to excise a malignant tumor the following day. Betis' supporters raised funds for his treatment, while Carles Puyol, of the same province, financed €30,000 for specialist private treatment. On 24 June 2012, after just over a year of illness, Roqué lost his battle against cancer and died, two weeks before his 24th birthday. His death prompted a series of tributes on Twitter, including from several international players competing in UEFA Euro 2012, and on 1 July, after the final of the continental competition, Spain goalkeeper Pepe Reina (his former Liverpool teammate) wore a Betis shirt featuring Roqué's name during the players' victory lap of the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv; also, Cesc Fàbregas wore a shirt with the names of Roqué, Dani Jarque, Manuel Preciado and Antonio Puerta. Roqué became known as "The Eternal 26" to Betis fans, in reference to his kit number during his spell at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, and they chanted his name in the 26th minute of each half of a match. In 2013, a monolith dedicated to him was unveiled in his hometown, with a plaque endowed with the crests of the clubs that he represented. During his illness, Roqué worked with writer Juan Manuel López: to have a book on himself published was one of his two wishes, the other being to return to football. La Luz de Miki Roqué (The Light of Miki Roqué) was released in March 2015, featuring contributions from his family and Betis staff. Honours Betis Segunda División: 2010–11 See also List of sportspeople who died during their careers References External links 1988 births 2012 deaths People from Pallars Jussà Sportspeople from the Province of Lleida Spanish footballers Footballers from Catalonia Association football defenders Segunda División players Segunda División B players UE Lleida players Xerez CD footballers FC Cartagena footballers Betis Deportivo Balompié footballers Real Betis players English Football League players Liverpool F.C. players Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players Spain youth international footballers Spanish expatriate footballers Expatriate footballers