Francisco Gento, Real Madrid legend and winner of six European Cups, dies

THE Real Madrid announced, this Tuesday, the death, at the age of 88, of Francisco Gento, legend and only player in the history of football to win six European Cups.

“Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the passing of Francisco Gento, honorary president of Real Madrid and one of the greatest legends of our club and of world football,” the club said in a statement.

Known as “Galerna del Cantábrico” (Windstorm of Cantabria), due to the wind that whips the coast of his homeland, the fast left-back played 18 seasons for Real Madrid between 1953 and 1971, being the man who won the most titles with the team .

He snatched six European Cups, five of them in a row (1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966), a milestone achieved only by him.

To these trophies are added 12 Leagues, 2 Spanish Cups, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Small World Cup and 2 Latin Cups.

Gento, who played 600 games and scored 182 goals, was one of the architects of Real Madrid in the 1950s and 1960s, which had other important names such as Alfredo Di Stéfano and Frenchman Raymond Kopa.

“In addition to his spectacular condition as a player, he was the link between two legendary generations at Real Madrid: that of the first five European Cups and that of the ‘yé-yé’ team,” said Real Madrid.

“The figure of Paco Gento faithfully represents all the values ​​of Real Madrid, and he was and will continue to be a reference for Real Madrid and for the world of sport”, added the madridista club.

“Madridistas and all football fans will always remember him as one of their great myths,” insisted the merengue club.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti announced the death to the team, who held a minute’s silence in honor of Gento before training today.

“This morning a legend of this club died: Paco Gento. He spent 18 years at this club winning six European Cups and 12 Leagues. So let’s remember him with respect and a minute in his memory,” said Ancelotti, in a video released by team.

In addition to his great stint at Real Madrid, Gento was also linked 43 times with the Spanish national team, with whom he played in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. played in it, won against the USSR (2-1).

His death sparked condolences from all areas of the sport.

“It is a sad day for Spanish sport. We say goodbye to one of its myths. We will always remember him for his struggle, for his successes and for being a pioneer in the best competitions on the planet”, said the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE).

Another Real Madrid legend, José Miguel González “Michel” praised him as “the Spanish player of reference for many generations. You will not be able to leave in silence as you liked to live; you were so great that we will remember you at the highest level. personal and football. Universal Ballon d’Or”.

“His numerous titles with Real Madrid and his participation in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups will always be remembered,” FIFA wrote on its official Twitter account.