Alfredo Di Stéfano

Di Stéfano, 1963

Alfredo Stéfano Di Stéfano Laulhe ( born July 4, 1926 in Buenos Aires ) is a former Argentine- Spanish footballer and coach. Since 2000 he is honorary president of his longtime club Real Madrid.

The striker has twice won the European Footballer of the Year ( 1957 and 1959 ) and finished in the FIFA vote for the " Player of the Century " in fourth place. His most successful period witnessed Di Stéfano during the 1950s and early 1960s in the jersey of Real Madrid, as the team to win the European Champions Cup in a row five times. As head of this legendary " white ballet" reasoned Di Stéfano the myth surrounding the club to this day.

During his career he won a total of 14 national championships and was ten times in various leagues and competitions scorer.

• 4.1 In the club
• 4.2 national team
• 4.3 Personal

Origin

Alfredo Di Stéfano was born on July 4, 1926 as the eldest son of Alfredo Di Stéfano Senior and his wife Eulalia (born Laulhe ) in Buenos Aires the light of day. His paternal ancestors were of Italian descent and immigrated from the island of Capri to Argentina. The family lived in the district Barracas, where his father ran a cattle breeding. In the streets and back alleys of this neighborhood on the southeastern outskirts of the metropolis of the football passion of the young Alfredo began and since early childhood he was hunting with his siblings or children in their neighborhood after a ball. The enthusiasm for this sport had been laid him to speak in the cradle, for his father instilled his love for CA River Plate one, the club for which he himself was once active ( 1910-1912 ) and encouraged the boy's talent.

After Alfredo was initially active in neighborhood teams like Unidos y Venceremos and Imán, he graduated in 1941 a trial at River Plate. The youth coaches were totally convinced of his abilities and the talent procured a place in the junior section of the " Millionaires. " There, Di Stéfano was henceforth formed footballing and moved in 1944 to the reserve team. He soon became a candidate for the senior squad through its services.

Club career

CA River Plate (1945 to 1949)

River Plate was in the 1940s as by far the best club team in South America. Guaranteeing success as " La Maquina " ( The Machine) called miracle storm to Adolfo Pedernera, Félix Loustau, Juan Carlos Muñoz, Ángel Labruna and José Manuel Moreno, who put the opponent in rows in front of almost impossible tasks. 1945 moved the now 18 -year-old Di Stéfano on the squad this exception team and made his debut on 15 July in the match against Club Atlético Huracán (2:1). However, since the experienced Adolfo Pedernera was set to the position of center forward, Di Stéfano was hardly acknowledged use of opportunities, which is why these agreed to be just loaned to Huracán in order to gain match practice. In his first full professional season (1945 /46), he played for the Suburban team 25 league matches and scored impressive ten goals.

After this successful guest performance of the self-conscious Di Stéfano returned to River Plate. He was first team regular as a right winger, but soon realized coach José María Minella his qualities as a striker and ordered him to be cleared. Due to its robust physique, his breathtaking speed and incredible dribbling he prevailed on the position of center forward and ousted veteran Pedernera, who moved to CA Atlanta. With 27 goals in 30 games Di Stéfano was top scorer and thus made a significant contribution to winning the Argentine championship. Press and fans were thrilled by the blonde striker and gave him because of his hair color as well as enormous speed nicknamed " La Saeta Rubia " (the blond arrow).

CD Los Millonarios Bogotá ( 1949 to 1953 )

In the years 1948/49, disabled persistent disputes between the League Association and the players' union FAA the regular operation of the Argentine Primera División considerably. The union called from lengthy player strikes to enforce minimum salaries for professionals. As a consequence of these disputes examined numerous Argentine Stars fortune abroad, many of which it moved to Colombia to play there in 1948 with the founding of the professional league Dimayor. The Dimayor been a de facto secession from the official Association and took on then-common procedures such as timely release of associations and fee payments no consideration, which resulted from the world governing body FIFA for the temporary exclusion of the country. On the advice Pederneras who held a leading position in the players' union, di Stéfano moved together with his teammates Néstor Rossi to Colombia. Unbeknownst to River Plate, which received no transfer fee, both signed in August 1949 a contract with financially strong capital club Millonarios Bogotá. Its president and patron was the immensely wealthy businessman Alfonso Senior Quevedo, a co-founder of Dimayor.

At the end of the season with Deportivo Cali Millonarios were equal on points at the top, but sat down in the required play- through (1:0, 3:1 ), and finally won their first league title of their club's history. The team that went down because of their outstanding short passing game as " Balet Azul " ( Blue Ballet ) in the history, dominated the Dimayor. From 1951 to 1953 followed by three more championships and a Cup victory in 1953. Uncontroversial to Star became Di Stéfano, who with his goals ( top scorer in 1951 and 1952) and had an outstanding performance significant role in their success. In addition, the Millonarios attracted attention for friendly matches in Europe in coming. Especially in the tournament to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Real Madrid in 1952 impressed Di Stéfano the experts and the board of the " Royal ", which had to admit defeat South Americans with 2:4.

Change to the " Royal " (1953)

The club Real Madrid was thrilled by Di Stefanos services and the desire to undertake this exceptional artist, became a true obsession. However, with the FC Barcelona had another Spanish giants interest account and campaigned intensively for the services of the 25 -year-old Argentine. The Catalans paid four million pesetas (about 217,000 euros ) to the Millonarios, whereupon Di Stéfano adopted from Bogota and traveled to Europe. Once it was back in 1950 came between Real and Barca because of the commitment László Kubala to a transfer dispute, joined at the end of the Hungarian to Barcelona to Real president Santiago Bernabéu would not be outdone again.

Now also Madrid became active in the transfer market and one of the most remarkable detachment shops in football history took its course. Bernabéu turned to River Plate, which still owned the rights to transfer Di Stéfano to 31 December 1954, paid 1.5 million pesetas (about 81,000 euros ), but the Millonarios also agreed to indemnify. Thus, the unique situation was that two teams could pay transfer fees and the Spanish Federation had to make a decision, you should go to which of the two players. In accordance with the Spanish Ministry of Sport, the association decided September 15, 1953 that Di Stéfano would play two seasons for Real and Barça. But Barcelona did not agree with this decision and moved from an obligation, although Di Stéfano was already run in friendlies for them. In this case, this had seemed listless and weak form, which is why it was decided to forego on the transfer, but insisted on payment of compensation by Madrid. Bernabéu compensated the Catalans in the amount of four million pesetas, whereby the total volume of Di Stéfano business on the record sum of 5.5 million pesetas (about 298,000 euros ) was. These events intensified the traditional rivalry between the two clubs even further and Barcelona's manager then claimed to have taken only under pressure from the Franco government distance from the obligation Di Stefanos.

On September 23, 1953 this was officially presented as a new signing of Bernabéu and made his debut in a friendly against AS Nancy ( 2:4 ).

Real Madrid ( 1953-1964 )

The obligation Di Stefanos turned out to be for the " Royal " as a godsend, because the most successful era was initiated in club history, which established the "myth Real Madrid ". In his very first season 1953/54, Di Stéfano was with 27 goals scorer ( Pichichi ) and led the team after 21 years of waiting for the long-awaited third championship. Extraordinarily was Di Stefanos performance in the match against FC Barcelona, ​​as he had humiliated their great rivals in the 5-0 victory with four goals alone. With his innate leadership skills, high level of professionalism and the introduction of the short passing game, he caused a fundamental change in the game Real Madrid and made it the world's best club team of the time. The team of the fifties and early sixties, the soon to dominate Europe in addition to the domestic league, went as "white ballet" in the football annals. She convinced playful all along the line and the elegant, technically sophisticated football resembled a ballet performance with Di Stéfano as conductors. Other exceptional players such as Héctor Rial, Francisco Gento, Raymond Kopa, Ferenc Puskás and José Santamaría found their way to the " Royal ", which soon became known as invincible. Despite this collection of high-caliber single -rounder Di Stéfano was always the undisputed head of the team and the other players his leadership arranged under unconditionally. In La Liga he celebrated with Real Madrid eight Championships (1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1961 to 1964 ) and a Cup victory (1962). In addition to the success at the national level of the newly established European Champions Cup brought the great fame. Real secured the coveted trophy for the first five editions of the competition, a milestone unmatched to this day of football: 1956 4-3 against Stade Reims, in 1957 with a 2-0 win against Fiorentina, 1958 with 3:2 nV against AC Milan, in 1959 with a 2-0 win against Stade Reims and 1960 with 7:3 against Eintracht Frankfurt. Di Stéfano had managed the feat in each playoff to score a goal against Frankfurt he even met three times. Winning the World Cup in 1960 completed the collection of titles. The external politically isolated Franco regime knew how to use this international success and the propaganda stylized Real Madrid up to the international showpiece.

Di Stefanos playing style was characterized by distinctive elegance and on the lawn surrounded him the natural aura of a grand seigneur. He was no mere executor, who was waiting in the storm center on his chances, but you could characterize it as a complete player whose radius ranged from own up to the penalty box. Often, " the General " dropped back into midfield to organize as a playmaker, the build-up play of his team. In particular, the interaction with his congenial partner Ferenc Puskás emphasize its arrival in 1958, the play "La Maquina " with the united golden Elf Hungary. The 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the final of the European Champions' Cup in 1960 formed inevitably the highlight of the " white ballet" and the interaction between Di Stéfano, who scored three goals, Puskás, which accounted for the remaining four matches. All individual abilities despite Di Stéfano is always at the service of his team and wanted to be a charismatic leadership players never stand by his fellow players. He wrote his triumphs always a functioning Mannschaftsspel to: "Football has given me everything I've always understood it as a team game and made ​​it clear that I do not want to be idolized, but play And as you have to walk and sweat.. . " The sports newspaper France Football paid tribute to his skills by twice (1957 and 1959 ) as the European Footballer of the year distinguished Di Stéfano.

1961, the aura of invincibility Real Madrid was broken on the European stage. In the first round of the European Champions' Cup they separated from against Barcelona, in the following year they lost in the finals Benfica ( 3:5 ). Similarly, the championships of the sixties had not the luster of previous years and also Di Stéfano had to pay the tribute increasing age. After losing the final of the European Champions Cup in 1964 against Inter Milan (1:3) club president Bernabéu was the now 38 -year-old Di Stéfano convince you to end the active career and take over the post of sporting director. Di Stéfano, who had already exercised in the past few years considerable influence on the transfer policy of the club wanted to continue his career and refused. It came to no agreement is reached and the current honorary president left Madrid strife to Espanyol Barcelona to join. The defeat against Inter Milan on 27 May 1964, thus Di Stefanos last competitive game for the " Royal. "

During his eleven years in the real snow-white jersey, he completed 396 duty games and scored 307 goals ( La Liga: 282/216; Copa del Rey: 50/ 39; European Cup: 58/49; Other: 6/3). Thus, Di Stéfano was over four decades scorer of the club before that mark was surpassed by Raúl. In addition, he was the first player ever, one behind the other top scorer in the Primera División was four times what just Hugo Sánchez ( 1985-1988 ) succeeded him.

RCD Espanyol ( 1964-1966 )

1964 joined Di Stéfano Espanyol and let finish his career after two seasons ( 1964/65: 11 and 1965/66: 12 ). There was a brief interaction with László Kubala, another legend of Spanish football.

On 7 June 1967, said goodbye to Alfredo Di Stéfano of the football stage and ended his career. For this purpose took place in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in front of 130,000 spectators a testimonial match against Celtic Glasgow, the reigning winner of the European Cup of Champions instead.

As a national player

1947 appointed Argentina coach Guillermo Stábile the 21 -year-old Di Stéfano in the squad for the upcoming South American Championship ( Copa America ). There he made ​​his debut on December 4 in the match against Bolivia ( 7-0 ) and scored one goal. The Argentine national soccer team was the superior team in the tournament and won the title of sovereign, while Di Stéfano had met in six inserts six times. Although his international career had begun auspiciously, came not add any other countries more games because the players who played in Colombia, were not nominated.

In 1949, he played four unofficial caps for Colombia, which were not recognized by FIFA.

After Di Stéfano had in 1956 received the Spanish citizenship, he was henceforth to play for the national team of his adopted country. On 30 January 1957 he ran for the first time on the Selección and met in the 5-0 win against the Netherlands twice. Despite outstanding players such as Di Stéfano, Francisco Gento, Luis Suárez and László Kubala Spain missed surprisingly qualified for the World Cup 1958. This was four years later for the tournament in Chile and only di Stéfano who also naturalized Ferenc Puskás part of the squad. A persistent muscle injury prevented the now 36-year veteran on an insert, which is why the friendly match against France on 10 December 1961, Di Stefanos last international match.

He joins in the ranks of world-class players like Ryan Giggs ( Wales), George Best ( Northern Ireland) and George Weah (Liberia) who never took part in a World Cup.

Titles & Awards

In the club

• Argentine champion (2): 1945, 1947
• Colombian champions ( 4): 1949, 1951, 1952, 1953
• Colombian Cup Winners: 1953
• Spanish Champion ( 8): 1953 /54, 1954/55, 1956/57, 1957/58, 1960/61, 1961/62 1962 /63 1963/64
• Spanish Cup winner: 1962
• European Champions Cup ( 5): 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960
• Coupe Latine: 1955, 1957
• World Cup: 1960

National

• South American Championship: 1947

Personally

• Argentine top scorer: 1947 (27 goals)
• Colombian scorer (2): 1951 ( 31 goals ), 1952 ( 19)
• Spanish top scorer (5): 1953/54 (27 goals), 1955/56, ( 24), 1956/57, (31 ), in 1957/58 ( 19), 1958/59 (23 )
• Scorer in the European Cup of Champions (2): 1958 ( 10 goals ), 1962 ( 7)
• European Footballer of the Year ( 2): 1957, 1959
• FIFA 100

As a coach

Following his playing career, Di Stéfano stayed in football and in 1967 took over as coach of FC Elche. His first title as a coach, he took in 1969, when he led the Argentine championship Boca Juniors. He returned to Spain in order to take over the FC Valencia, which he has edited a total of four years ( Di Stefanos longest station as head coach ) was and 1971 champions. After holding various positions he took twice the FC Valencia, he returned to the Primera División led to winning the European Cup Winners' Cup (1980) and later. In addition, he oversaw Real Madrid twice and once River Plate ( Masters 1981).

His coaching career ended Di Stéfano in 1991 at his old club Real Madrid.

Success as a coach

• Argentine champion ( 2): 1969, 1981
• Spanish Champion: 1971
• European Cup Winners' Cup: 1980
• Promotion to the Primera División: 1987
• Supercopa de España: 1987

Late Awards

• With the FIFA vote for the " Player of the Century " was Di Stefanos position in world football clear when he finished fourth behind Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff. However, he landed before the player legends like compatriot Diego Maradona and Ferenc Puskás.

• On 17 February 2008 he was named by UEFA as honorary president, an unprecedented honor in world football. On this date, players like Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Just Fontaine, Raymond Kopa, Eusebio and Mario Kempes were expected in Madrid.

• Since 2000, Di Stéfano is Honorary President of Real Madrid.

• At the award ceremony of the German Football Culture Prize 2007 Di Stéfano received the " Walther- Bense man - special price. "

• Opened in 2006, the stadium of Real Madrid Castilla was named Estadio Alfredo di Stéfano in his honor.