Alfredo Di Stefano Bio (Biography)
Real name:
Alfredo Di Stefano Laulhe
Date of birth:
July 4. 1926
Place of birth:
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Astrology Sign:
Cancer
Height:
5' 10" (1.78 m)
Tags:
Biography
Argentina has been home to many greats of soccer like Daniel Passarela, Oscar Ardilles, Diego Maradona but it is also home to one of the greatest all rounder the sport has ever seen. Born on July 4, 1976 in Barracas, Buenos Aires Alfredo Di Stefano is a former footballer as well as coach.
Famous as La Saeta Rubia or the Blonde Arrow, Alfredo played international football for Argentina, Colombia, and Spain. The young Argentine was known for his legendary stamina as he grew up helping his parents run their farm in the city suburbs. His work-rate and obvious ability, attracted scouts from River Plate, who signed him when he was just 15. He didn't become an instant hit and had to wait for his time. IN 1947, the club sold their legendary forward Adolfo Pedernera and this opened the doors for Alfredo as he was promoted to the starting eleven.
Alfredo has had a very nomadic career with regular transfers from one club to another across countries. In 1949, Argentina's footballers went on strike and Alfredo joined Millonarios to play in the unofficial Colombian league. Here he linked up with Pedernera who was the club's player cum manager and within four years, Alfredo became the club's second highest all-time goal scorer. In 1953, Millonarios was pitched against Real Madrid as part of the Spanish club's 50th anniversary celebrations. Alfredo gave such a dazzling performance against Madrid that their president, Santiago Bernabeu, immediately made a bid to sign this charismatic forward.
The only obstacle was Barcelona who had also been eyeing Di Stefano and Real had to strike a good deal with the Catalans. Both the clubs came to an agreement to share the player with the option of sole ownership if a fee could be agreed upon. Surprisingly Barcelona decided to sell their stake in Alfredo. The fee was $75,000 and till date is the costliest transfer mistake in football history. Alfredo became Real Madrid's all-time greatest player, and inspired the Spaniards to eight league titles and five consecutive European Cup wins between 1956 and 1960. He also scored in every final, which included a memorable hat trick in the 7-3 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960.
Real Madrid appeared in two more finals, but by then Alfredo's decline had started. He also missed out on the 1962 World Cup. After a short spell with Espanyol, he retired from professional football in 1966 at the age of 40. Alfredo's love for football got him to try his hand at coaching and he enjoyed mixed success with several clubs. He was credited for league titles with River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Valencia.
According to the legendary former Inter Milan coach Helenio Herrera, "Pele was the first violinist in the orchestra," but "Alfredo Di Stefano was the whole orchestra." Pelé ®amed Alfredo as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in the March of 2004. Di Stefano was also voted as the fourth great footballer behind Pelé¬ Maradona and Cruijff.
Famous as La Saeta Rubia or the Blonde Arrow, Alfredo played international football for Argentina, Colombia, and Spain. The young Argentine was known for his legendary stamina as he grew up helping his parents run their farm in the city suburbs. His work-rate and obvious ability, attracted scouts from River Plate, who signed him when he was just 15. He didn't become an instant hit and had to wait for his time. IN 1947, the club sold their legendary forward Adolfo Pedernera and this opened the doors for Alfredo as he was promoted to the starting eleven.
Alfredo has had a very nomadic career with regular transfers from one club to another across countries. In 1949, Argentina's footballers went on strike and Alfredo joined Millonarios to play in the unofficial Colombian league. Here he linked up with Pedernera who was the club's player cum manager and within four years, Alfredo became the club's second highest all-time goal scorer. In 1953, Millonarios was pitched against Real Madrid as part of the Spanish club's 50th anniversary celebrations. Alfredo gave such a dazzling performance against Madrid that their president, Santiago Bernabeu, immediately made a bid to sign this charismatic forward.
The only obstacle was Barcelona who had also been eyeing Di Stefano and Real had to strike a good deal with the Catalans. Both the clubs came to an agreement to share the player with the option of sole ownership if a fee could be agreed upon. Surprisingly Barcelona decided to sell their stake in Alfredo. The fee was $75,000 and till date is the costliest transfer mistake in football history. Alfredo became Real Madrid's all-time greatest player, and inspired the Spaniards to eight league titles and five consecutive European Cup wins between 1956 and 1960. He also scored in every final, which included a memorable hat trick in the 7-3 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt in 1960.
Real Madrid appeared in two more finals, but by then Alfredo's decline had started. He also missed out on the 1962 World Cup. After a short spell with Espanyol, he retired from professional football in 1966 at the age of 40. Alfredo's love for football got him to try his hand at coaching and he enjoyed mixed success with several clubs. He was credited for league titles with River Plate, Boca Juniors, and Valencia.
According to the legendary former Inter Milan coach Helenio Herrera, "Pele was the first violinist in the orchestra," but "Alfredo Di Stefano was the whole orchestra." Pelé ®amed Alfredo as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in the March of 2004. Di Stefano was also voted as the fourth great footballer behind Pelé¬ Maradona and Cruijff.