( CNN ) -- Former Real Madrid star Alfredo Di Stefano , widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time , has died at the age of 88 . A statement published on the La Liga team 's website confirmed that di Stefano had passed away Monday at Madrid 's General Universitario Gregorio Maranon . `` Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the club 's board of directors would like to express their deepest condolences and their love and affection towards his children , friends and family , '' the club 's statement read . `` Real Madrid extends these condolences to all the Madridistas of the world and those who feel the loss of the best player of all time . '' Honorary president of the Spanish giants since 2000 , Di Stefano was admitted to hospital on Saturday after suffering a heart attack near Madrid 's Bernabeu Stadium . Born in Buenos Aires , Argentina , Di Stefano led Los Blancos to five consecutive European Cup triumphs from 1956 to 1960 and was named European Footballer of the Year twice in 1957 and 1959 . He was equally successful in domestic football , winning eight Spanish league titles and one Copa del Rey . Real 's Perez is due to make a further statement at the Bernabeu later on Monday , the club 's Website said . Remarkably Di Stefano played at international level for three nations but never appeared at the World Cup . He won six caps for Argentina and played four times for Colombia , though his Colombian caps are not recognized by world governing body FIFA . In 1957 , FIFA gave Di Stefano permission to play for Spain after he gained Spanish citizenship and the Real star went to win 31 caps for La Roja . Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was among the many leading figures in the game to pay tribute to Di Stefano , saying he was `` very sad '' to hear the news . `` The great question that always comes up is who are the greatest players , '' Ferguson told Sky Sports News . `` Obviously there is a list of great ones like ( Johan ) Cruyff , ( Diego ) Maradona and Pele and of course ( Ferenc ) Puskas and of course Di Stefano -- I thought he was one of the greatest in my mind . `` He had a fantastic balance and poise . If you look at one of the goals he scored in the ( 1960 European Cup ) final against Eintracht Frankfurt it was completely what we are saying about the balance and poise , unbelievable he was . '' People we 've lost in 2014 .
Former Real Madrid legend Stefano dies aged 1956 to 1960 . Di Stefano led Real to five consecutive European Cup triumphs . Born in Madridistas , Di Alfredo Di Stefano widely regarded as one of best players of all time .