Football says goodbye to Paco Gento

Mainly in Spain, the death of the Real Madrid legend Paco Gento has left signs of solidarity with the former soccer player’s family by players and institutions.

Soccer players like former merengue captain Sergio Ramos, clubs like FC Barcelona and higher-ranking institutions like UEFA said goodbye to the only player in football history to have won the European Cup six times.

known as the Cantabrian Galena, this fast left winger played 18 seasons for Madrid between 1953 and 1971, being the man who has won the most titles with the white team with 23 trophies.

“Pioneer left winger for his fast football and low center of gravityGento joined Real Madrid from Real Racing Club in 1953 and enjoyed unprecedented success during his 18 seasons in the Spanish capital.

LaLiga, the Association of Spanish Soccer Players (AFE), the Higher Sports Council (CSD) and the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) also showed their sadness. “We say goodbye to one of his myths. Who we will always remember for his fight, for his successes and for being a pioneer in the best competitions on the planet. See you always, Paco Gento. See you always to the Cantabrian Galena”, published the COE.

FIFA remembered Gento as “one of the greatest historical figures of Real Madrid” and wanted to convey its “deepest condolences to his family and friends.” “His innumerable titles with Real Madrid and his appearances in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups will always be remembered,” he said.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) joined the signs of pain for Gento, “an unrepeatable athlete, but above all a magnificent person who remains forever in the memory of the great family of Spanish football”.

Barcelona was added “to the condolences”. Through its social networks, the Catalan club wanted to have a memory for the former Spanish soccer player, whom it defined as “a legendary Real Madrid player”. “Rest in peace”, concludes the note that incorporates a photo of Gento playing a Clásico against Barça.

Atlético de Madrid expressed its “deepest condolences” on Twitter to Gento’s family, whose grandnephew is Marcos Llorente, a midfielder for the Atletico team: “Francisco Gento, a Spanish football legend, passed away today. Our deepest condolences to his entire family and especially to our player Marcos Llorente. Rest in peace”.

The former Spanish coach Vicente del Bosque, who did not coincide in Madrid as a player with Gento, but in other facets, praised the figure of the Cantabrian Galena noting that the entity “could not have had a better honorary president than him.” “I have a lot of respect for Paco, with whom I didn’t coincide in the squad, because when I arrived at Real Madrid (Plus Ultra), he was already finishing his stage as a player. But we coincide in the club, in the Sports City, and, in my opinion, I think he has been the best player that Real Madrid has had in terms of years, titles and person“, He said.

Minute of silence

Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric recognized Gento as a “legend” of the club and also Xabi Alonso, a former Real Madrid player, remembered him as a “Legend of the European Cup”, after his death on Tuesday.

”Don Paco Gento. Legend of our club. Thank you for everything you did for Real Madrid. Eternal. DEP”, wrote the Croatian soccer player on his Twitter account, while Xabi Alonso, current coach of Real Sociedad B, posted the following tweet: “Rest in peace Don Paco Gento. Legend of ‘The European Cup’”.

Real Madrid, which announced the death of its honorary president this morning, observed a minute of silence before the first team training session in Valdebebas.

Florentino Pérez, president of the merengues, also spoke: “He won the affection of all Madridistas and his sporting rivals for the exemplary behavior and behavior he demonstrated throughout his life. I am passionate about football and Real Madrid because of players like Francisco Gento, whom I have seen since I was a child when I was only four years old when my father took me to the Santiago Bernabéu”. (D)