Real Madrid legend José Santamaría has died
José Santamaría, a four-time European Cup winner with Real Madrid, has died at the age of 96.
This was announced by the club’s press office.
“Santamaría will forever be remembered as one of the greatest symbols of our club. He was part of a team that will forever remain in the memory of all Madridistas and soccer fans around the world. Together with Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, Paco Gento, and Raimundo Copa, this team began to build the legend of Real Madrid. “Santamaría always embodied our club’s values, and until the very end, Real Madrid was the greatest passion of his life,” said Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez.
José Santamaría was born in Uruguay in 1929. From 1947 to 1957, he played for Nacional, with whom he won the national championship four times.
In 1957, he joined Real Madrid and played for the club until 1966. During this time, Santamaría won the European Cup four times—in 1958, 1959, 1960, and 1966—became Spanish champion six times, and won the Spanish Cup once.
He also played for the national teams of Uruguay and Spain.
Earlier, at the age of 70, Imrich Bugar, the first-ever winner of the World Championships in discus throw, who represented the Czechoslovak national team, passed away.
