Farewell to the legend Di Stefano!

After a three-day battle for his life following a stroke, football legend Alfredo Di Stefano passed away yesterday at the age of 88.

Alfredo Di Stefano passed away just three days after his 88th birthday.

A legend has passed away. Yesterday, the striker widely considered the greatest of all time in world football breathed his last at the Gregorio Maranon Hospital in Madrid. Alfredo Di Stefano died just three days after his 88th birthday, leaving behind immeasurable grief for football fans around the globe.

The striker, once praised by football legend Pele and Eusebio as "the most complete player in the history of human football," has passed away. He was unable to overcome a stroke on his 88th birthday.

On their official website, Real Madrid issued a statement: “With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our honorary president, Alfredo Di Stefano, at 5:15 p.m.…”. But surely, not only Real Madrid fans, but the whole world will feel a sense of loss at the passing of the player nicknamed “The Silver Arrow”.

Di Stefano was an integral part of Real Madrid's history. He made immense contributions to the Royal team, helping them win 8 La Liga titles, 1 Copa del Rey, 1 Intercontinental Cup, and especially 5 consecutive European Cup titles in the 1950s, and was a two-time European Golden Ball winner. Because of his great contributions at the Bernabeu, he was elected honorary president of Real Madrid until his death.

It can be said that Di Stefano's life and illustrious career were a series of strangely contradictory events.

Di Stefano signed with Barcelona, ​​but before he could play a single game at Camp Nou, he moved to Real Madrid, turning the two clubs into bitter rivals. He was born in Argentina and played for the national team, but later had a brief stint with Colombia before officially joining Spain.

He never played in the World Cup, yet he is consistently recognized as the greatest striker of all time. Di Stefano's absence from the World Cup seems like a twist of fate. In 1962, the "Silver Arrow" played a major role in helping Spain qualify for the World Cup. However, a serious thigh injury shattered his dream of competing on the biggest stage in world football. This shock led him to decide to retire from international football.

Di Stefano passed away with an unfulfilled wish. He no longer had the opportunity to fulfill his dream of going to Brazil to watch the Argentine national team play, should his birthplace team reach the final of this year's World Cup. Thus, the last time this football legend appeared at a major event was at the 2013 FIFA Ballon d'Or awards ceremony.

KEY MILESTONES IN DI STEFANO'S PLAYER CAREER

1926: Born on July 4, 1926, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

1942: He had a trial period at River Plate and was immediately offered a contract.

1947: Won the Argentine national championship with River Plate and was crowned top scorer with 27 goals.

1951: Joined Millonarios Club of Colombia.

1953: Moved to Real Madrid despite having previously signed with Barcelona.

1954: Won the La Liga top scorer title for the first time with 27 goals, helping Real Madrid win the championship that season.

1956: First time winning the European Cup with Real Madrid.

1957: Won the European Golden Ball for the first time.

1962: Announced retirement from international competition.

1966: Hanging up my boots.

According to Bongdaplus