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The World Encyclopedia of Soccer |
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In 1953, Di Stéfano and his Millionarios team visited Spain as part of their world tour. The Colombian club was invited to play an exhibition match against a then mediocre Spanish club named Real Madrid. The tournament marked the 50th anniversary in the club's undistinguished history. |
| In this game, Spain unearthed a diamond that will later become the jewel of their crown. In Real's Charmatin stadium, the crowd witnessed a dynamic blond player. Di Stéfano was magnificent in that game, not only impressive as a striker but also appearing in different parts of the pitch and performing all tasks. He showed his all-round qualities never seen in Europe before. Millionarios won the tournament under Alfredo's dynamic leadership. | 
SOCCER DYNAMO Di Stéfano (front row, third from left) and his Millionarios teammates pictured here before the game against Real. |
| Understandably, the Spanish clubs made inquiries for him almost immediately after the match. Entered Santiago Bernabeu, the ambitious president of Real Madrid. Real had not won any major trophies before. Bernabeu's intention was to make Real the most powerful club on the European soccer scene. To do so, he built a huge stadium six years earlier and in turn, needed to assemble a team of stars in order to fill the stadium with spectators. He saw Di Stéfano as the ideal player to build his dream team around that can conquer Spain and beyond. | 
Santiago Bernabeu One of the greatest club presidents of all-time |
| Once they heard Barcelona is contacting Di Stefano's old club River Plate, Real Madrid flew their men to South America to negotiate a transfer with Millionarios. Raimundo Saporta, Real Madrid's club secretary, would later be the most famous for the part he played in bringing Di Stéfano to Real Madrid. Unimpressed by Di Stéfano's early performances for Real, Barcelona proposed both clubs to sell out their shares to Italy's Juventus. But Di Stéfano rejected the deal and so Barcelona sold out their share to Real. The Argentine genius was finally transferred to Real for a $70,000 fee, peanuts compared to the inflated transfer prices in the soccer world and even cheaper considering the impact he would later make not only in Spanish soccer, but also in European and world soccer. | 
SPANISH IDOL Di Stéfano was now the hero in Spain |
A MADRID PLAYER Di Stéfano before a league match against Barcelona. |
Di Stéfano was now an official player of Real Madrid. The VERY next day he played in a Spanish league in a 5-0 victory. The opponents was none other than Barcelona. The Catalan club was on the receiving end of Alfredo's awe-inspiring magic. This match is remembered in Spain to this day. If you don't think Barcelona regretted enough, FOUR of the goals were scored by Di Stéfano himself. |
 The great attacking partner of Di Stéfano at Real |
Also played in that match was a young left-winger named Paco Gento. President Bernabeu signed him the same year Di Stéfano joined Real. Gento and Di Stéfano formed the backbone of a great team that conquered Spain, and later Europe. |
| Inspired by Gento, Hector Rial and, above
all, Di Stéfano, Real Madrid won the 1953/54 Championship.
Di Stéfano had now replaced Barcelona's Kubala as the number one
player in Spain.
The next season was the first season of the European Cup. As Spanish champions, Real Madrid qualified for the first ever European Cup. This is where the legend really started. |
Di Stéfano was now ready to conquer Europe |
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GO TO THE EUROPEAN
CUP WITH DI STEFANO
WITNESS ALFREDO'S
GREATEST TRIUMPHS.
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