The world of football is in mourning after the death of legendary Real Madrid forward Alfredo Di Stefano at the age of 88.
The former Argentina, Spain and Colombia star suffered a heart attack near the club’s Bernabeu stadium on Saturday afternoon and passed away on Monday.
Real Madrid’s honorary president was attended to by emergency medical services after suffering a cardiac arrest that reportedly lasted 18 minutes and he had been kept in an induced coma in the coronary unit at the General Universitario Gregorio Maranon Hospital in the Spanish capital.
It’s a very sad day. For me, for all the madridistas, for the world of football. #EternoAlfredo pic.twitter.com/VKRbSmO61s
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 7, 2014
Don Alfredo leaves us, but his memory will last forever in our hearts. Legends never die. Thanks for everything Maestro. #EternoAlfredo
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 7, 2014
A Real Madrid statement read: ‘Real Madrid announces that Honorary President Alfredo Di Stefano has passed away today at 5.15pm at the General Universatario Gregorio Maranon Hospital in Madrid.
‘The President of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez and the Sporting Director of the club wish to express their deepest condolences and pass on all their care and affection to his children, relatives and friends.
‘Real Madrid extends its condolences to Maridistas throughout the world and to all those who are affected by the loss of the greatest player of all time.’
Di Stefano, who was born Alfredo Stefano di Stefano Laulhe in Buenos Aires on July 4, 1926, was an integral part of the Real Madrid side that won five consecutive European Cups between 1956 and 1960 and he was voted European player of the year in both 1957 and 1959.
He scored more than 300 goals across 11 seasons with the Madrid side and is the club’s second highest scorer behind Raul, with 307 goals in all competitions.
Di Stefano was the European Cup’s top scorer with 49 goals in 58 matches before being overtaken by Raul. The Argentine is now sixth on the all-time list, having also been surpassed by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Thierry Henry.
On the international scene, he represented Spain on 31 occasions and also played for Argentina and Colombia.
