Alfredo Di Stefano dead: Who was the Real Madrid legend?

The football legend has died at the age of 88

Portrait of Argentinian-born Spanish forward Alfredo Di Stefano (Getty Images)

Alfredo Di Stefano has died at the age of 88, following a heart attack last Saturday.

Di Stefano is considered by many to be the greatest player in Real Madrid's history and one of the all-time footballing greats.

Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at international level he represented not only his country of birth, but also Spain and Colombia, although the matches he played for the latter are not officially recognised by Fifa.

However it is his exploits with Real Madrid for which he is most famous.

He joined the Spanish giants in 1953, and helped turn them into one of the world's best sides, winning an unprecedented five successive European Cups between 1956-1960 - a feat made even more impressive by the fact that he scored in each final.

He left Real Madrid in 1964, at the age of 38, having scored more than 300 goals in his 11 seasons - making him still the fifth highest goalscorer in the history of Spain's top division, and Real Madrid's second highest league goalscorer of all time.

After retirement, he embarked on a managerial career, with league success at both major Argentine clubs, River Plate and Boca Juniors as well as league and cup success at Valencia.

He also managed Real Madrid between 1982-84, with his first season in charge notable for finishing runner-up in all five possible trophies his team competed in.

Despite playing for three different countries, he never played in a World Cup.