Today I lost part of my youth - as I did when Rocky Marciano and Elvis died. Younger members of the forum will eventually feel the same when they lose 21st century heroes like Phil Neville and Michael Gove.
Di Stefano was arguably already the best footballer in the world when he arrived in Spain expecting to join Barcelona. What happened then was quite extraordinary. The Spanish FA decided he would play for Real Madrid the first season and Barcelona the second. Suddenly Barcelona lost interest in him. I was told that this was because Franco (Spanish dictator) was a Real Madrid supporter and the owner of Barcelona was threatened with a tax investigation if they signed Di Stefano. It is rare that you can say that there is a best club in Europe and not have anyone argue. Real Madrid were unarguably the best team in Europe winning the equivalent of Champions League five years running. Di Stefano scored in every final.
In 1960 their supremacy seemed threatened Eintracht had a wonderful team and had put six goals past Rangers home and away. Real Madrid gave them a master class winning 7-3 in what is regarded as one of the best matches ever. Di Stefano scored three while his friend the great Puskas scored four.
The charmless Diego Maradona who always disliked the fact that there had been better footballers than him complained that Di Stefano had never played in a world cup as he also sneered that Pele never played European football. I would say there was an unpleasant primadonna attitude in Maradona whereas for Pele and Di Stafano it really was the beautiful game.
The Daily Telegraph writes that with the possible exception of Pele he was the greatest footballer of all time. Pele and Eusebio have described Di Stefano as the best ever. Di Stefano himself parried questions about his ability by saying that it is a team game.