Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho pays tribute to Alfredo Di Stefano

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 07 July 2014

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho describes Alfredo Di Stefano as the "best Real Madrid player in history" following the great's death on Monday.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has described Alfredo Di Stefano as the "best Real Madrid player in history" following the great's death earlier today.

It was announced earlier this afternoon that former striker Di Stefano had passed away at the age of 88 in the Spanish capital after suffering a heart attack over the weekend.

"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," Mourinho told the Blues' website.

"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."

Widely regarded as one of the all-time best footballers, Di Stefano scored in all five European Cup victories as Madrid dominated the continent in the mid-to-late 1950s.