Madrid, Spain (SportsNetwork.com) - Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano passed away on Monday following a heart attack. He was 88 years old.
Di Stefano was taken to a Madrid hospital on Saturday after suffering a heart attack and he was reported to be in critical condition.
The legendary forward had been in a coma since Saturday, and news of his passing on Monday was confirmed by a statement released from Real Madrid.
"Real Madrid announces that its honorary president, Alfredo Di Stefano, has died today at the Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon in Madrid," the statement read.
"The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Perez, and the club's board wish to express their most profound condolences and all their affection to his children, his family and his friends."
Di Stefano joined Madrid in 1955 and had a huge role in leading the club on a run of eight La Liga titles in 10 years while also capturing five successive European Cups from 1956 to 1960.
He was named the European Player of the Year in 1957 and 1959 while totaling 308 goals in 396 games during his 11 seasons in Madrid.
Di Stefano has been an honorary president at Real Madrid since 2000 and made regular appearances at games and team functions.
In his international career Di Stefano never appeared at a World Cup despite representing his native Argentina, Spain and Colombia, although he is regarded as one of the greatest players of the 20th century.
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