Heart attack: Di Stefano 'stable'
2005-12-24 16:37
Madrid - Real Madrid's honorary president and former star, Alfredo di Stefano, is conscious and in a stable condition after a heart attack on Saturday.
Di Stefano, 79, is being treated in a hospital in the city of Sagunto in eastern Spain.
Dr Victoria Lacueva, part of the team treating di Stefano, says the next 48 hours will be critical.
Real Madrid team president, Florentino Perez, and other executives are travelling to Sagunto to be with di Stefano.
Di Stefano was born in Argentina, and began his career with River Plate before moving to Colombia's Millionarios in 1949.
He joined Real Madrid in 1953 and became its most illustrious player.
Di Stefano was voted European player of the year in 1957 and 1959.
He won five consecutive European Cups - scoring in each final - as well as eight Spanish league winners' medals.
Di Stefano became Real Madrid's honorary president in 2000.
- AP