The football world was rocked by news from Madrid today that the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano had passed away following a heart attack. The “Blonde Arrow,” as he was known, was mourned as “the greatest player who ever lived” by Real Madrid club president Florentino Pérez in an official statement. Di Stefano will be remembered for his goalscoring exploits in two different continents and his playing style, observed by his peer Bobby Charlton as “complete football, [influencing] everything that was happening.”
A glittering club career produced some truly astounding statistics:
664 club appearances, 485 goals.
41 international appearances, 29 goals.
8 top scorer awards in 3 different countries (5 in Spain).
2-time European Footballer of the Year.
2-time European Top Scorer.
4-time Spanish Athlete of the Year.
2 Primera Division championships with River Plate.
3 Colombian Championships with Millonarios.
8 La Liga titles, 5 European Cups, and 1 Intercontinental title with Real Madrid.
Unfortunately, as football fans the world over today enjoy the latest edition of the World Cup, that was the one stage that Di Stefano never got the opportunity to grace, due to Argentinian withdrawals, eligibility issues (having been capped by multiple countries), and injury.
Nonetheless, along with the “The Galloping Major,” Ferenc Puskas, Di Stefano formed what will surely go down in history as one of the deadliest and most-feared striking partnerships. With Raymond Kopa and Francisco Gento orchestrating from midfield, their Ye-Ye Real squad enjoyed a period of dominance that was both unprecedented and since unsurpassed at club level.
Rest in peace, La Saeta Rubia.
(Picture credit: Real Madrid C.F./Getty)
