A legend moves on - Di Stefano dies, aged 88
Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano has died in a Madrid hospital at the age of 88.
One of the greatest exponents of the Beautiful Game, the Argentina-born striker, who was Real's honorary president, had suffered a heart attack and was placed in intensive care on Friday.
His death was confirmed by a club statement which read: "Real Madrid C. F. regrets to announce that its honorary president, Alfredo Di Stefano, passed away today at 5:15pm (11.15pm Singapore time) in the General Universitario Gregorio Maranon Hospital in Madrid."
Nicknamed La Saeta Rubia (the blond arrow), di Stefano was instrumental in transforming Real Madrid's fortunes when he joined the club in 1953 under a cloud of controversy.
His arrival awoke the slumbering Spanish giants as he inspired them to their first league title in 21 years to spark Real's dynasty in Spanish football.
In 11 seasons with the club, di Stefano scored 418 goals in 510 official matches for Real, helping Los Blancos to eight league titles and five consecutive European Cups alongside other legendary players like Ferenc Puskas.
While he represented Argentina six times before his move to Spain, di Stefano became a naturalised Spaniard and played 31 games for La Roja, scoring 23 goals.
Source: Reuters
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