Alfredo di Stefano
Football legend Alfredo Di Stefano played for Real Madrid

Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano passed away two days after he was hospitalised following a heart attack.

The 88-year-old Argentina-born striker had been in a coma in Gregorio Maranon hospital in Madrid.

The club's president Florentino Perez held a press conference on 7 July, and paid tribute to the legend.

Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez leaves a news conference after the death of former Real Madrid player Alfredo Di Stefano at Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid July 7, 2014.
Real Madrid's president Florentino Perez pays tribute to Di Stefano at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid

"Alfredo Di Stefano is Real Madrid," he said.

"He was decisive, determined and his alliance with the club changed the destiny of this institution.

"Alfredo was the best in every sense of the word, for how he revolutionised football and for the values he had.

"Now it is our duty to tell those who never him saw him play that he changed everything. Madrid was his home and his life and we will give him the homage he deserves.

"He came here to stay and his presence in Madrid is eternal. Alfredo Di Stefano, Real Madrid's honorary president, Real Madrid will never forget you."

Scroll down to see football's finest reacting to the death of Alfredo Di Stefano on social media.

Hasta siempre Don Alfredo Di Stéfano, una leyenda, un grande dentro y fuera de la cancha. Mucho ánimo a todos sus...

Posted by Leo Messi on Monday, July 7, 2014

I am saddened to hear about the death of the great Alfredo Di Stéfano. pic.twitter.com/0MYENmIc8c

— Pelé (@Pele) July 7, 2014

It’s a very sad day. For me, for all the madridistas, for the world of football. #EternoAlfredo pic.twitter.com/VKRbSmO61s

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 7, 2014

A sad day for the world of football. One of the greatest has passed away. RIP Don Alfredo di Stéfano

— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) July 7, 2014

Sad to hear about Alfredo Di Stefano passing away. Possibly the most significant footballer in history.

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) July 7, 2014

It's a sad day. I want to remember Alfredo Di Stefano, one of the best player ever, as in this picture @realmadrid pic.twitter.com/Y8OD7Ve7Iu

— Franco Baresi (@FBaresi) July 7, 2014

Alfredo Di Stefano has died. One of the greatest players ever. Scored in 5 successive European Cup finals. A feat never to be matched. #RIP

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 7, 2014

Descanse en paz Alfredo Di Stéfano, un genio del fútbol

— Luis Suarez (@LuisSuarez9) July 7, 2014

The first, and greatest, Real Madrid 'Galactico'. #RIPAlfredoDiStefano

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 7, 2014

Real Madrid and the World of football is sad today. RIP Alfredo Di Stefano.#legend #champion #RIP

— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) July 7, 2014

RIP Sir Alfredo Di Stefano. I will never forget each of the shared moments with such a football legend. pic.twitter.com/J4FFcXM9ph

— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) July 7, 2014
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