Real Madrid icon Di Stefano passes away at age 88.
The legendary forward, who represented
Argentina, Colombia and Spain during his
stellar career, had been in a critical condition
after suffering a heart attack.
The club’s honorary
president was in a
critical condition after suffering a heart
attack in the street close to the Santiago
Bernabeu on Saturday, just a day after his
birthday, and passed away after his health
worsened dramatically on Monday morning.
Di Stefano started his career at River Plate
and moved to Madrid from Colombian side
Millonarios in 1953, having originally been
close to joining Barcelona.
The Argentine forward defined an era at the
Bernabeu, leading Madrid to eight Liga titles
and five European Cups between 1953 and
1964.
The ‘Saeta Rubia’ (Blond Arrow) netted 308
times in 396 appearances for Los Blancos and
remains second on the club’s list of all-time
top goalscorers behind Raul (323).
Madrid confirmed the news with a statement
on their official website.
“Real Madrid’s honorary president, Alfredo
Di Stefano, passed away at 17:15 at the
Hospital General Universitario Gregorio
Maranon de Madrid,” it read.
“The president of Real Madrid, Florentino
Perez, and the club’s board would like to
express their deepest condolences and
affection to his children, family and friends.
“The club would also like to extend those
condolences to everyone who has felt sadness
at the loss of the greatest player of all time.”
Perez will address the media at the Bernabeu
later on Monday.
