Alfredo Di Stefano: Real Madrid legend dies at the age of 88

Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano, regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, has died.

The 88-year-old suffered a heart attack on Saturday and had been in an induced coma in Madrid's Gregorio Maranon hospital.

Real Madrid confirmed the news, saying Di Stefano, their honorary president, died at 17:15 CET (16:15 BST).

The forward won five straight European Cups, scoring in each final between 1956 and 1960.

Ferguson on Di Stefano

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told BBC Radio 5 live Di Stefano was "without question in that group of great, great players".

He recalled Di Stefano's "wonderful balance and poise" when he watched him at Hampden Park in the 1960 European Cup final. 

"In the semi-final, Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers and we looked upon Eintracht as almost certain to win the cup - but Real Madrid were a special team," he said.

"I had the pleasure as a young man of being influenced by the great Real Madrid and Di Stefano. His head was up all the time. He was such a fantastic footballer.

"For Real Madrid, it is a terrible loss because his presence was always there."