Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The former Los Blancos forward, who celebrated his 88th birthday yesterday, was taken ill after having lunch at a restaurant in the Spanish capital and was transferred to Gregorio Marañon hospital.
Medics from Samur were able to revatalise di Stefano after 18 minutes of CPR, but given his age and health – he previously suffered a minor heart attack in 2005 – he is in a serious condition.
A spokesman for the emergency services confirmed di Stefano had been taken ill. Speaking to Spanish news agency EFE, the spokesman said: “A cardiac arrest was attended by Samur staff and they immediately transferred the patient to the Gregorio Maranon hospital.”
Regarded by many of one of the greatest players to ever play football, di Stefano, who represented both Argentina and Spain, was played a key role in helping Real Madrid win five consecutive European Cups in the 1950s. He also won eight La Liga titles in his time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Di Stefano scored 216 league goals in just 282 matches for Los Blancos, and more than 300 in total between 1953 and 1964.
Everyone at realmadridnews.com has Alfredo and his family in our thoughts.
