MADRID - Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano has been transferred to a hospital in Valencia for further tests after suffering a heart attack at the weekend.
A health authority spokesman said the 79-year-old Argentine would have cardiac catheterism at the La Fe Hospital.
"He will remain under observation in
the intensive care unit and if everything goes well we will be able to take measures that will make him more comfortable," said Valencia health authority spokesman Manuel Cervera.
Di Stefano's age and condition as a diabetic meant he would need to be under strict observation but Cervera was optimistic about the former Real Madrid player's prospects of recovery.
"He is breathing normally and we believe he will make favourable progress in the next few hours.
"He has been conscious at all times and when he has been able to he has spoken normally with his family and with the people from Real Madrid who have visited him."
Di Stefano, Real's honorary president and record goalscorer, led the Spanish club to five consecutive European Cup triumphs between 1956 and 1960.
He won the European Footballer of the Year award in 1957 and 1959.
As well as his European triumphs with Real, Di Stefano also won eight Spanish league titles, the World Club Championship and the King's Cup before falling out with president Santiago Bernabeu in 1964 and joining Barcelona-based Espanyol.
Born of Italian parents in Buenos Aires, Di Stefano played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain during his 22-year career and retired at the age of 40 in 1967, playing his final match against Celtic in Madrid.
He then went into coaching, leading Boca Juniors and River Plate to Argentine championships and steering Valencia to the Spanish league title in 1971 and victory over Arsenal in the old European Cup Winners' Cup in 1980.
Di Stefano returned to take over as Real coach between 1982 and 1984, the side finishing runners-up in the title race in consecutive seasons.
He was made honorary president in 2000 when Florentino Perez came to power.
- REUTERS
