So proud to be joining the best team in the world.

“People argue between Pele or Maradona. Di Stéfano is the best, much more complete.”

— Pelé

“Don Alfredo leaves us, but his memory will last forever in our hearts. Legends never die. Thanks for everything Maestro.”

— Cristiano Ronaldo

“The most complete footballer in the history of the game.”

— Eusébio

“OK, publishing a book and releasing a movie is all very well, but Tottenham beating Man. U. 3-2... priceless.”

— Salman Rushdie

“Alfredo di Stéfano is maybe the greatest player I have ever seen. I watched him in a match when Manchester United played against Real…

— Bobby Charlton

“My erstwhile lady-love would have had a field day analysing the defensive interaction in Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool team last season. Now there was a…

— Trevor Downey

“He was simply the most intelligent football player I ever saw. If I had one player to choose, out of all of them, to…

— Bobby Charlton

“Alfredo was the first Galactico. In fact, he was worth any three of them put together.”

— Francisco Gento

“A great amongst the greats.”

— Michel Platini

“Don Alfredo, greatest legend of Real Madrid, always with us. I will always remember maestro.”

— Iker Casillas

“Di Stéfano was one of the greatest footballers ever. He had such great balance.”

— Alex Ferguson

“For the record, the vuvuzela is not my enemy — and I even have, for reasons of self-defence installed a mini-vuvu with surprisingly powerful…

— Richard Calland

“Alfredo Di Stefano changed the history of this club and he changed the history of football. He has left us, but his legend will…

— Florentino Pérez

“You were my hero when I was fourteen or fifteen because you represented a totally new philosophy of football. You will always embody the…

— Sepp Blatter

“Alfredo Di Stefano is Real Madrid. His alliance with this club changed the destiny of this institution. Alfredo was the best in every sense…

— Florentino Pérez