Alfredo di Stéfano, one year in memory

One year ago today, Don Alfredo di Stéfano left us. One of the greatest legends in football history. His stamp on this sport is still indelible. Not only did la 'Saeta Rubia' (The Blonde Arrow) win uncountable medals, amongst which can be found 5 European Cup winners medals, he also set a precedent for how to play. How to understand games. How to lead a group. How to become the focal point for supporters and for a sport. Sadly he passed away 365 days ago, "and the best way of remembering him is to not forget him", as Amancio Amaro says.

His signing for Real Madrid
His arrival at Real Madrid led to the beginning of a golden era and meant a change in the sporting life of the club. Amancio Amaro sees him as crucial to the telling of the Madrid story: "Alfredo is a turning point. Between Santiago Bernabeú and him they achieved great success and they made Real Madrid the best team in the world".

His roommate on away games for many years, Paco Gento, is clear on what the emergence of the Spanish-Argentinian meant: "If it wasn’t for Di Stéfano, Madrid wouldn’t have won as many titles as they did". Santamaría recognises the ability of the 'Saeta Rubia' to write his own story in golden letters. "He arrived at the right moment and he changed football. It was a quick game, but it was missing the skill and cunning that Alfredo brought from South America".

On the 7 July 2014 the Real Madrid honorary president passed away... http://t.co/ehY4WHSEDj #GraciasDiStéfano pic.twitter.com/tz3RhLgKh7

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) July 7, 2015

 

Great Technical and Physical Ability
"He was a powerhouse, good with both feet, with his head, he was the quickest, and he really lived the matches. He didn’t even blink. On the pitch he showed he was the world No. 1. He was a man of incredible characteristics, a true physical powerhouse", that’s how Ignacio Zoco defined him.
He had a high level of ability, but his personality was exemplary: "He demanded of all his teammates the same effort and sacrifice that he made. He was a player who defended, organised and scored goals. That’s why he managed to win the admiration and recognition of the world" says Amaro. Gento discovered a huge footballer in Di Stéfano, but above all, a big brother. He learned many things from him: He did things I’d never seen before. He was a teacher for me. Not only was he admired for his skill but also for his fighting character and perseverance. 

"Alfredo never gave up. He didn’t get intimidated by the opposition, so he always managed to find a way through complicated game situations. His cunning and improvisation were his best virtues", Santamaría said.

Competitive Spirit
Many shared their football lives with him, although his teammates knew him best. All of them agree on Di Stéfano’s greatest virtue: his competitive spirit. "On the pitch he was a born winner. His temperament helped him to have a winning attitude", defender José Emilio Santamaría points out. "He never gave up on a game. A great battler. A person who transmitted that will to win", remembered Amancio Amaro.

Up Close
Despite wearing the No. 9 on the back of his shirt, his behaviour off the pitch was 10 out of 10. Some of his teammates still smile when speaking of his character. "He was friendly, a real conversationalist. He couldn’t have been more endearing", says Ignacio Zoco. Amaro, on the same topic, speaks of him as a warm man: "When you spoke with him up close he was a good communicator, he was fun telling anecdotes and talking about his life. He was a very entertaining person".

A Pleasant Memory
We’re reaching the end of this journey through history and the legacy left to us by Don Alfredo, but we’d like to end with a quote left to us by Ignacio Zoco: "He is a man who will live forever. He’ll stay in the memories of all those who saw him play football and like this sport".