Madrid, July 8 (IANS): Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson led the tributes for legendary footballer Alfredo Di Stefano, who passed away at the age of 88.
The Real Madrid legend died in Gregorio Maranon hospital here Monday, days after he suffered a cardiac arrest.
Stefano scored more than 300 goals across 11 seasons with the Madrid side and is the club's second highest scorer behind Raul, with 307 goals in all competitions.
"The great question that always comes up is who are the greatest players," Ferguson said in an interview with 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.
"I was very sad to hear the news. Even at 88 it is a bit of a shock. I saw him two years ago before our Real Madrid game and he looked fine and looked full of health so it is disappointing to hear the news."
A lasting memory for Ferguson was when he attended a match Real Madrid and Frankfurt where Di Stefano put the German club to the sword in a 7-3 drubbing that ensured a fifth straight European Cup.
"The amazing thing about that was, being a Rangers fan, Eintracht Frankfurt had beaten Rangers in the semi-finals 6-3, 6-1 so they were gods," he said.
"They came to Hampden Park and were annihilated by Real Madrid 3-7. I was there in the schoolboy enclosure, I was playing with Queen's Park at the time, and it was a fantastic experience.
"It was the first time I think that a lap of honour was done after the game, Scottish fans hadn't seen that of course. Ten goals in a final, you won't see that again. It was a golden period for Real Madrid, they won it five times in a row and Di Stefano scored in all five finals.'
The two, then, went onto cross paths more than two decades later.
Ferguson, then manager of Aberdeen, met a Real Madrid side managed by Di Stefano in the 1983 Cup Winners' Cup final.
Ferguson's Scottish club against all odds beat Real Madrid to lift the trophy.
"My greatest memory of course is when Aberdeen beat Real Madrid," he added.
"I was honoured to be in the same game as Real Madrid but to come up against Di Stefano was an incredible experience for me."
Amongst others, Portugal and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, wrote on twitter, "Don Alfredo leaves us, but his memory will last forever in our hearts. Legends never die. Thanks for everything Maestro."
"It was with immense sadness I learned of the death of Alfredo Di Stefano, a wonderful man I had the fortune to know during my time in Madrid," former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was quoted as saying by DailyMail.
"Of course I first send my thoughts to his family and friends, but also this is a very sad day for football and football fans, which we all are, when we lose a special person like this.
"Alfredo was the best Real Madrid player in history - winning five consecutive European Cups - and one of the greatest of all time."
"Rest in peace Alfredo."
Rival Spanish club Barcelona tweeted: "FC Barcelona expresses its condolences for the death of Alfredo Di Stefano, honorary president of Real Madrid. Rest in peace."
Real Madrid and Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas tweeted: "RiP Don Alfredo, the greatest. A Madrid legend, you will always be with you. The MAESTRO will always be remembered."
Spanish midfielder Juan Mata wrote: "RIP Alfredo di Stefano. One of the greatest has passed away. My condolences to his family and friends."
Brazil legend Pele tweeted, saying that the Argentine-born star had opened doors of Europe to Latin American players.
"He was a trailblazer, and most of all, he was a legend of the game. God rest his soul.
"Today, the openness between Latin American players and European clubs is very much due to the work of Alfredo Di Stefano."