johnnybrubacker
Youth Team
UPDATE 2-Real Madrid great Di Stefano has heart attack
Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:46 PM GMT167
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By Simon Baskett
MADRID, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano is in a stable condition in hospital in Sagunto near Valencia after suffering a heart attack in the early hours of Saturday morning.
"Alfredo Di Stefano was admitted to the hospital at 1245 GMT last night complaining of pains in his chest and tests have revealed that he had suffered an acute heart attack," doctor Victoria de la Cueva said in a statement.
"He is in the intensive care unit at the moment. His condition has improved and he is conscious. He is aware of what is going on, is stable and breathing well on his own."
Doctor de la Cueva said the 79-year-old Argentine would remain under observation in the intensive care unit for at least 48 hours.
Di Stefano, Real Madrid's honorary president and record goal scorer, led the Spanish club to five consecutive European Cups between 1956 and 1960 and eight Spanish league titles. He was voted Europoean Footballer of the Year in 1957 and 1959.
An immensely versatile player, who could play in midfield or up front, Di Stefano began his career at River Plate in 1945, but joined Colombian club Millonarios four years later following a players' strike in Argentina.
He went on to score a remarkable 267 goals in 292 games, helping Millonarios to four league titles.
He caught the eye of Real Madrid after playing in an exhibition match in the Spanish capital to mark the club's 50th anniversary in 1953 and signed for them after a tug-of-war with arch-rivals Barcelona.
KEY PLAYER
He led Real to the 1953-54 championship, which was only the club's third league title in their history, and together with winger Paco Gento he revolutionised a team that went on to dominate European football in the late 1950s.
Di Stefano was the key player in Real's five consecutive European Cup victories, scoring goals in every final and a hat-trick in their stunning 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park in 1960, a match that is widely regarded as the greatest ever European club game.
He also played for Real when they lost in the final in 1962 and 1964 and held the record as top scorer in the European Cup with 49 goals in 58 games until Real Madrid striker Raul beat his mark this season.
He won eight Spanish league titles, the World Club Cup and the King's Cup with Real before joining Barcelona-based club Espanyol after falling out with club president Santiago Bernabeu in 1964.
Born of Italian parents in Buenos Aires, Di Stefano played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain during his 22-year career and retired at the age of 40 in 1967, playing his final match against Celtic in Madrid.
He then went into coaching, leading Boca Juniors and River Plate to Argentine championships and steering Valencia to a Spanish league title in 1971 and victory over Arsenal in the old European Cup Winners' Cup in 1980.
He returned to Real Madrid to take over as coach between 1982 and 1984, with the side finishing runners-up in the title race in consecutive seasons.
Di Stefano was made honorary president of Real in 2000 when Florentino Perez came to power and has been a regular presence at official club events and player presentations.
Probably the greatest Real player of all time, and in my top 3 of all time greatest footballers, get well soon.
Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:46 PM GMT167
Printer Friendly | Email Article | RSS
By Simon Baskett
MADRID, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano is in a stable condition in hospital in Sagunto near Valencia after suffering a heart attack in the early hours of Saturday morning.
"Alfredo Di Stefano was admitted to the hospital at 1245 GMT last night complaining of pains in his chest and tests have revealed that he had suffered an acute heart attack," doctor Victoria de la Cueva said in a statement.
"He is in the intensive care unit at the moment. His condition has improved and he is conscious. He is aware of what is going on, is stable and breathing well on his own."
Doctor de la Cueva said the 79-year-old Argentine would remain under observation in the intensive care unit for at least 48 hours.
Di Stefano, Real Madrid's honorary president and record goal scorer, led the Spanish club to five consecutive European Cups between 1956 and 1960 and eight Spanish league titles. He was voted Europoean Footballer of the Year in 1957 and 1959.
An immensely versatile player, who could play in midfield or up front, Di Stefano began his career at River Plate in 1945, but joined Colombian club Millonarios four years later following a players' strike in Argentina.
He went on to score a remarkable 267 goals in 292 games, helping Millonarios to four league titles.
He caught the eye of Real Madrid after playing in an exhibition match in the Spanish capital to mark the club's 50th anniversary in 1953 and signed for them after a tug-of-war with arch-rivals Barcelona.
KEY PLAYER
He led Real to the 1953-54 championship, which was only the club's third league title in their history, and together with winger Paco Gento he revolutionised a team that went on to dominate European football in the late 1950s.
Di Stefano was the key player in Real's five consecutive European Cup victories, scoring goals in every final and a hat-trick in their stunning 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park in 1960, a match that is widely regarded as the greatest ever European club game.
He also played for Real when they lost in the final in 1962 and 1964 and held the record as top scorer in the European Cup with 49 goals in 58 games until Real Madrid striker Raul beat his mark this season.
He won eight Spanish league titles, the World Club Cup and the King's Cup with Real before joining Barcelona-based club Espanyol after falling out with club president Santiago Bernabeu in 1964.
Born of Italian parents in Buenos Aires, Di Stefano played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain during his 22-year career and retired at the age of 40 in 1967, playing his final match against Celtic in Madrid.
He then went into coaching, leading Boca Juniors and River Plate to Argentine championships and steering Valencia to a Spanish league title in 1971 and victory over Arsenal in the old European Cup Winners' Cup in 1980.
He returned to Real Madrid to take over as coach between 1982 and 1984, with the side finishing runners-up in the title race in consecutive seasons.
Di Stefano was made honorary president of Real in 2000 when Florentino Perez came to power and has been a regular presence at official club events and player presentations.
Probably the greatest Real player of all time, and in my top 3 of all time greatest footballers, get well soon.
