Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano, recognised as one of the greatest footballers in history, has died aged 88, the BBC reports.
Di Stefano passed away in a Madrid hospital on Monday, where he had been placed in an induced coma after suffering a heart attack on Saturday.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner won five consecutive European Cups with Real Madrid, scoring in each final between 1956 and 1960, and played for three national sides during his career – Argentina, Colombia and Spain.
Real president Florentino Perez said he and the club’s board would ‘like to express deepest condolences and all their love and affection to his children, their families and friends’
FIFA President Blatter has issued a statement on the passing of the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano.
“I’m very saddened by the news of the death of Alfredo Di Stefano,” he said .”He was the most complete player I’ve ever seen. He was also my favourite player. I was following him very closely when he was playing for the great Real Madrid team and I was a young sports reporter.
“Later, I had the privilege to meet him through Real Madrid and we became good friends in football. I will always remember him.”
