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Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano, one of the greatest footballers in history, died in a Spanish hospital on Monday aged 88, the club said.
The Argentine-born former striker and honourary president was “the best player of all time”, Real Madrid said.
Di Stefano had been taken to hospital after suffering a heart attack on Saturday.
Rescuers had battled for 18 minutes to revive the 88-year-old after his heart stopped following a restaurant lunch with his family near Real’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
Di Stefano, who had previously been in hospital for similar episodes, underwent emergency quadruple heart by-pass surgery after a heart attack in 2005.
He was one of Real Madrid’s most celebrated players, having represented the club for 11 seasons between 1953 and 1964, winning five European Cups.

Di Stefano was born in Buenos Aires and began his professional career with hometown club River Plate in 1945 before leaving for Colombian outfit Millonarios four years later after the Argentine league ground to a halt following a pay strike.
Di Stefano won the Colombian title in his first season before adding the 1951 and 1952 titles to his list of honours but it was his individual displays that attracted the attention of a host of big-name European suitors.
It was ultimately Real Madrid who won the race for Di Stefano’s signature after a long, complicated transfer wrangle with bitter rivals Barcelona.
Di Stefano immediately flourished in the Spanish capital as he helped Real Madrid end a 21-year wait for the league title in his first season before collecting a further seven league crowns during his time at the club.
However, it was on the European stage that Di Stefano truly cemented his status as one of the game’s greats, helping Real win the first five editions of the European Cup between 1956 and 1960, a record that stands to this day.


Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano dies at 88

Alfredo di Stefano, former Real Madrid star and the club's honorary president, cemented his status as one of the game's greats with his performances on the European stage. Photo: AP

Alfredo di Stefano scores for Real Madrid in the European Cup final against Eintracht of Germany at Hampden Park in Glasgow in 1960. Photo: AP

Sport

Football

He represented the Spanish giants for 11 seasons between 1953 and 1964, winning five European Cups


Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano dies at 88

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}He represented the Spanish giants for 11 seasons between 1953 and 1964, winning five European Cups

He represented the Spanish giants for 11 seasons between 1953 and 1964, winning five European Cups