Sportspain national teamAlfredo Di StéfanoPrimera Liga

Alfredo Di Stefano, Real Madrid Great, Dies Aged 88

Real Madrid Great Di Stefano Dies
Samuel Luckhurst
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 12: Portrait of Argentinian-born Spanish forward Alfredo Di Stefano taken 12 June 1956 in Paris. Born in Buenos Aires, Di Stefano became one of the greatest players of his time winning championship titles in Argentina (1947 with River Plate), Colombia (1949, 1951, 1953 with Millionarios de Bogota) and Spain (8 between 1954 and 1964 with Real Madrid). Di Stefano also won the Copa America with the Argentinian national soccer team in 1947, five European Cups with Real Madrid (1956-1960) along with one Intercontinental Cup (1960) and received the European Golden Ball award for best player of the year in 1957 and 1959. Di Stefano later turned to coaching winning two championships titles in Argentina with Boca Juniors (1969-1970), one in Spain with Valence (1971), one European Supercup and one Cup Winners' Cup in 1980. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STAFF/AFP/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 12: Portrait of Argentinian-born Spanish forward Alfredo Di Stefano taken 12 June 1956 in Paris. Born in Buenos Aires, Di Stefano became one of the greatest players of his time winning championship titles in Argentina (1947 with River Plate), Colombia (1949, 1951, 1953 with Millionarios de Bogota) and Spain (8 between 1954 and 1964 with Real Madrid). Di Stefano also won the Copa America with the Argentinian national soccer team in 1947, five European Cups with Real Madrid (1956-1960) along with one Intercontinental Cup (1960) and received the European Golden Ball award for best player of the year in 1957 and 1959. Di Stefano later turned to coaching winning two championships titles in Argentina with Boca Juniors (1969-1970), one in Spain with Valence (1971), one European Supercup and one Cup Winners' Cup in 1980. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STAFF/AFP/Getty Images)
STAFF via Getty Images

Alfredo di Stefano, widely regarded as the greatest player in Real Madrid's history, has died aged 88.

Di Stefano suffered a heart attack the day after his birthday on Saturday and was placed in an induced coma in the coronary unit at the General Universitario Gregorio Maranon Hospital.

The Argentine-born forward was instrumental in the club's domination of European football in the late 1950s, helping them win the European Cup in five straight seasons from 1956 to 1960. Di Stefano scored in each final.

Di Stefano played for Real from 1953 to 1964, winning eight Primera Division titles, and is the club's second highest scorer in history, behind Raul, with 307 goals in all competitions.

He also had two short spells as coach of Real and is their honorary president.

Internationally, he attained 31 Spain caps but also represented Argentina and Colombia.

Related

spain national teamAlfredo Di StéfanoPrimera Ligareal madriduk sport
|
Submit a tip
Close

What's Hot