Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said the club has lost an icon following the death of Alfredo di Stefano.
The 88-year-old died on Monday after suffering a heart attack at the weekend.
Figures from the sports world, Spanish royalty, and fans alike have paid tribute to the man who scored 418 goals in 510 games for Los Blancos as they filed past his coffin at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Speaking after paying his last respects at the stadium in the heart of Madrid, Ramos said he had some great memories with di Stefano. He also echoed a number of other tributes made in which di Stefano was remember for his warm and welcoming nature.
“We have lost an icon, an emblem, a big part of this crest of the club,” Ramos said. “He had a very open way with him. I have had some wonderful moments with him, like the day I was first introduced into the club.”
The Spain international also dedicated his goal in the Champions League final to di Stefano, and said his presence was felt in the dressing room and on the field on that famous night in Lisbon in May.
“Di Stéfano is the most significant player Real Madrid have ever had. The words “give up” have never been part of his vocabulary and this has been instilled into all of us. In my header in the Champions League final, there was something of the spirit of Di Stéfano,” Ramos stated.
