Legends: Jose Martinez 'Pirri'

JOSE MARTINEZ 'PIRRI'

Jose Martinez Sanchez "Pirri"

Jose Martinez Sanchez, known by his nickname 'Pirri', was born in Ceuta in 1945 and began playing football in the teams; Imperio Riffien, Sociedad Deportiva Ceuta and Atletico Ceuta, highlighting in in all these teams in which he played. While giving his first steps into the world of football was studying at the Augustinians of Ceuta.

At 18 he moved to Granada to continue his studies. There he joins the local team, the Granada CF, where he begins making a name in Spanish football. In season 1963-64, "Pirri" is called to play in the Spanish selection of fans for his great performances in Granada. He plays on the right wing as midfielder.

Real Madrid was living a time of change. The team was veteran and needed updating. Men such as Alfredo Di Stefano, are replaced by Grosso, came Mogollon and Sancho, De Felipe joined the team after have been on loan at Rayo Vallecano... Jose Martinez "Pirri", joined the Whites in 1964, and had the difficult mission to replace Ferenc Puskas.

Began that season the famous team of "Ye-ye", consisting of eleven Spanish players led by Francisco Gento. In his first year in white, "Pirri" won the first of the ten Leagues he would win in his time as a player for Real Madrid. From midfield to defense, to end up as free defender. His efforts made ​​him one of the legendary players of Real Madrid, being the sixth player in team history that more often has worn the white jersey in the Spanish League (417).

Without doubt, two events marked the sporting history of "Pirri". In 1966, Real Madrid was one of the youngest teams in Europe, and despite his inexperience, won the continental title in a very emotional final played at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, against Partizan Belgrade.

Five years later, "Pirri" lived one of the saddest chapters of his sporting life, during the final of the Cup Winners' Cup 1971, lost against Chelsea. "Pirri" was injured during the first match, which ended in a draw, and went down in history for having played the game with his arm in a sling for a broken collarbone. They had to play a match tiebreaker and the title was won by the English. The image of "Pirri" with his arm close to his body, under the white shirt is one of the images that will go down in football history. Four years later, in 1975 he played a Spanish Cup final, against FC Barcelona, with his jaw broken. Therefore he was awarded by the Real Madrid with the first 'Laureada', the most important badge of the club that was given him by then club president Don Santiago Bernabeu.

Midfielder, defender, makeshift striker. If something was characteristic in "Pirri" was his versatility. His quality and strength combined perfectly with the claw and the anger that showed on the pitch. In addition to his defensive qualities, "Pirri" was a scorer, achieving 170 goals in his sixteen seasons with the shirt of Real Madrid (561 matches).

In 1980 he moved to FC Puebla Mexico, where he played his final two seasons and finished his Medicine studies. Back in Spain, he joined the Real Madrid medical staff and then his coach team. In 2000 he was general manager of Real Madrid, leaving the position with the arrival of Jorge Valdano in September of that year.

Legends: Amancio Amaro

AMANCIO AMARO

Amancio Amaro

Amancio Amaro was born in La Coruña, October 16, 1939. From his childhood he liked kicking the ball as an offensive player. That is, that Amancio preferred scoring goals rather than avoid, dribbling with the ball at his feet, treating the ball with care as opposed to his rivals who liked more to strike the opponent's legs that ball. In short, Amancio played in the right side with skill and speed and was astonishing both friends and strangers.

Player

At fifteen years old, he moved to team Victoria, of his hometown, and in the 1958-59 season he joined Deportivo de La Coruna, by then in the Second Division of Spanish football. Amancio was promoted to First Division with Deportivo. That is when begin to hear the first rumors of signing. The seats of Riazor begin to fill with scouts from different major teams, including Real Madrid.

Amancio's signing for Real Madrid was not about to take place. The astronomical salary, 10 million pesetas ( 60,000 euros), was filed as a slab on the wishes of the player to sign with the white team. Real Madrid's delegates called on the president Bernabeu, who was on holiday in Santa Pola, to inform him of the unviable operation. Bernabéu asked them to reconvene and meditate again, but at the end of the talks the situation had not changed. They informed again Don Santiago, who emphatically declared: "Amancio will play for Real Madrid: Sign him". Again, the Bernabeu's intuitive instinct was right.

Amancio signed for Real Madrid in June 1962. That same year, also arrives Zoco, Muller and Yanko Daucik. Amancio is no stranger to the stage of transition that is experiencing Real Madrid. Years ago, the team had swept both inside and outside of Spain, winning the first five European Cups. Amancio debuted in European competition against Anderlecht (3-3 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium). In League, he played the first match in Sevilla, against Real Betis, with a favorable outcome to the whites by 5-2 (Amancio socred one of the goals). The success came quickly. In his first seven seasons with Real Madrid, won six Leagues and later would add three more to reach nine titles in his 14 seasons in Madrid.

But in Europe luck is more elusive. In 1964, Amancio suffers a major sport disappointment in his first European final. The Viennese Prater was the scene of the Real Madrid's defeat against Inter Milan.. Italian team showed on the pitch conjunction and quality. A year later, in 1965, Benfica, removed the whites of European competitions. In 1966, Real Madrid faced the ninth European Cup with renewed hopes. Madrid team has undergone a profound transformation. Miguel Munoz is the new coach and has incorporated some young players of great renown, but all responsibility fell on "The Wizard" (Amancio's nickname).

Brussels, is decked out to welcome the finalists of the European Cup, Real Madrid and Partizan. Heysel Stadium is the perfect setting in which Real Madrid will try to rejuvenate old laurels, and the Yugoslavs put his name along to the major teams in Europe. On May 11, 1966 is the appointed day. Vasovic scored first for Partizan, but Amancio tied the matchwith a goal in a wonderful play. Then, Serena scored with a stunning shot from 30 meters. That was when the young "ye-yes" realized that they could be champions of Europe and left the skin on the field. Final score: 2-1. Amancio had managed to win a European Cup.

With the Spanish team, Amancio played 42 times. In these games the Real Madrid player got eleven goals and was a participant in the greatest achievement in the history of Spain's national team until that time: the victory in the final of Euro 1964 (2-1) against the Soviet Union.

Amancio Amaro

Coach

Amancio belonged to the template of Real Madrid until the 1975-76 season in which he left permanently football as a player and started a new era on the bench. In 1982, is signed by Luis de Carlos to coach Real Madrid Castilla, team with which conquered the Second Division Championship in his second season. He coached Butragueño, Michel, Sanchis Jr., Martin Vazquez and Pardeza. In the 1985/86 season took over the first team. The results were not good and Amancio left the team.

Since then, he was part of Real Madrid as scout and as board member on the first stage of Florentino Perez. He definitely left the club in 2006.

Legends: Alfredo Di Stefano

ALFREDO DI STEFANO

Alfredo Di Stefano

Alfredo Di Stefano was born on July 4, 1926 in the neighborhood of Barracas, where was the port of Buenos Aires. There, the English sailors introduced the football in Argentina. His grandfather Miguel was the first Di Stefano who arrived in the country, from Capri (Italy). His father, Alfredo, married Eulalia Laulhé who had French and Irish origin. They had three childs; Alfredo, Tulio (left midfielder footballer) and Norma (she was a basketball player).

"Little Tow" (Estopita: His grandfather placed him this nickname due to the old yellow mops that were used on ships) grew up playing with neighborhood kids on vacant lands in "the academy of the street", with rubber balls that cost two cents. His first organized team was called "Unidos y Venceremos", before moving to the "Flores" neighborhood, where he played for "Imán".

In 1940, his family moved to "Los Cardales", in the outskirts of Buenos Aires. His father was a collector of cereals and worked in the field. Alfredo left school and began working to help the family finances. That would have been his future if he had not followed the footsteps of football, a flame which, fortunately, was installed in his heart deeply. Football was his irrepressible passion. On Sunday he played with his brother Tulio in a local league and in the afternoon he went with his father to see River Plate (he was member from seven years). His amazing play and talent did not go unnoticed. In 1944 he made a test for River Plate and was quickly accepted in the youth team.

Player

He began with 18 years in the fourth category, from there ascended to the third and then to the First Division. Debuted with River in 1945 and that season he only played one match. For the 1946 season he was loaned to Huracan. There his coaches knew that they had an exceptional player. In 1947 he returned to River, in which he won the League Championship and was proclaimed top scorer. That year he debuted with the Argentina National Team that won the South American Championship in Guayaquil (Ecuador), in which he scored six goals. Soon he was dubbed with the nickname of "Blond Arrow" (LaSaeta Rubia) by the explosive speed that impressed on his play. In the Argentine Championship he played 66 games and scored 49 goals.

A general strike paralyzed the Argentine football and Di Stefano joined the "Millonarios" of Bogota, the best team in Colombia. It was a truly global selection, where coincided with major players like Rossi, Baez or Pederson. The sporting success of this 'Blue Ballet' pierced borders. This team played 294 matches and scored 267 goals. In 1952, he played for the first time in Spain (Chamartin Stadum), during the tournament to commemorate the 50 Anniversary of the Real Madrid. That day Real Madrid fans fell in love with him.

Real Madrid's dream was fulfilled in 1953 when Real Madrid managed to sign the best player of the moment after a long dispute with Barcelona that was also bidding for his services. He debuted on September 23, 1953 against Nancy (France). It was the first of the 510 matches played with Real Madrid scoring 418 goals. With the white set he won 8 Leagues, 5 European Cups, 1 Spanish Cup and 1 Intercontinental Cup among many other titles. In addition, he won five times the Pichichi trophy in seasons; 1953/54, 1955/56, 1956/57, 1957/58 and 1958/59.

Alfredo Di Stefano with 5 European Cups

That Real Madrid has gone down in history as one of the best teams of all time. In its brand new stadium, Santiago Bernabéu brought together a generation of unrepeatable footballers: Gento, Rial, Kopa, Puskas, Santamaria, Juanito Alonso, Zárraga... and Di Stefano, considered by all the squad as the natural leader, although he rejected the praise. He was a complete player, a role model on and off the pitch. UEFA awarded him the Golden Ball in 1957 and 1959.

He was captain of the "Rest of the World" team in the centenary of the English Football Association (1963). His last official match with Real Madrid was on May 27, 1964 in the Prater Stadium (Vienna) in the final of the ninth European Cup. After two seasons in the RCD Espanyol, he finally left the football with a tribute match that faced Real Madrid and Celtic Glasgow in 1966. That night took off his captain's armband to give it to Grosso in the middle of the roar of the crowd, standing to say goodbye to the best player who has stepped on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Alfredo Di Stefano (1982)

Coach

In March 1982, sixteen years after his farewell in the Bernabeu, Di Stefano signed as coach of Real Madrid (Luis de Carlos was the president). After the World Cup was presented on July 20, 1982 along with his assistant Juan Santisteban and Jesus Paredes. "I will give the team moral, strength and mastery", he said in his message to the fans. It was a year of records, although bittersweet, because Di Stefano led the team to five finals and was runner-up in five. The team lost the League (Athletic Bilbao), the Cup Winners Cup (Aberdeen), the Spanish Cup (Barcelona), the League Cup (Barcelona) and the Spanish Super Cup (Real Sociedad).

The following season he returned to coach the team. He always opted for the younger players and had players like Butragueño, Sanchis, Martin Vazquez and Pardeza. It was the seed of a team that amazed Europe in the second half of the decade. But the rush of football and the lack of titles led to the exit of Di Stefano, who gave way to Amancio Amaro. "The doors of the Club are always open for you", Luis de Carlos recalled him in the farewell.

Six years later, on November 21, 1990, he returned temporarily to the white bench, along with Grosso and Camacho. At that time he was presidential adviser, and coached because the club had fired Toshack. In just a few months he changed the face of the team and its commitment to an offensive football was rewarded with the Spanish Super Cup, won against Barcelona. Months later, he left his post to Radomir Antic.

Di Stefano also coached Elche (1967), Boca Juniors (1968), Rayo Vallecano (1975),Castellón (1976), River Plate (1981) and Valencia (three times). In all these teams left the stamp of his competitive nature, love for his work and winning spirit. In all teams is respected and still loved. Under his discipline played hundreds of footballers that still have his lessons in the memory as their greatest asset.

Since 2000, Alfredo di Stefano is honorary president of Real Madrid and now "lives" the club with the same passion and commitment that the first day. His door is always open. His voice is still the beacon that lights to Real Madrid on the way to the title of best team in the XXI century.

Legends: Ferenc Puskas

FERENC PUSKAS

Ferenc Puskas

Ferenc Puskas Biro was born in Budapest on April 2, 1927. His real surname was Purczfeld, German origin, but he changed Puskas (gun in Hungarian) after the Second World War.

Son of a famous soccer player of Northern Hungary, started playing soccer when he was a ball boy in the field of Kispest club in Budapest. At ten he was playing at that club, and at 16 made his debut in the Hungarian First Division, commanded by a coach known to him: his father. His left leg combined strength and precision and had unlimited resources. He played in this club from 1943 to 1949 when it was renamed Honved, the Hungarian Army team, and Puskas remained in it until 1956, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.

His career at this time was brilliant, especially in the Hungary selection. With the national team got the Olympic championship in Helsinki in 1952 and the historic 6-3 victory against England at Wembley (as captain) in December 1953. This national team was that dazzled the world at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, with players like Kocsis, Bozsik, Czibor or Hidegkuti, besides Puskas, getting second place in the world cup (after unexpectedly losing the final against Germany). This team was known as the "Magical Magyars".

His life changed the November 4, 1956, when the USSR invaded Hungary. On the way to Bilbao with his team, Honved, in the city of Vienna, Puskas and other partners as Czibor or Kocsis, deserted because of the invasion, earning a punishment of two years by FIFA. He left behind a balance of 349 league games with 358 goals, more than a goal per game.

Ferenc Puskas lived in several countries in Europe and South America until he was signed by Real Madrid, rejecting offers from several clubs in Italy. Thus, thirty-one years old he became Real Madrid player, completing the group was already legendary; Alfredo Di Stefano, Kopa, Rial, Santamaría, Gento, Dominguez ... It was quite a surprise to the Spanish fans, it was thought that a man like Puskas, at that time about to turn thirty-two years and overweight, had nothing to do at a team like Real Madrid, in full stars. But the time put everything in place and soon won the support and the sympathy of the fans, becoming "Pancho " Puskas.

During his first season in Spain had some adjustment problems resulting from his difficulties with the language and his long inactivity, but in his second year began to show signs of quality. Goals and more goals. A match for the story was when he participated in the fifth win for Real Madrid in the European Cup, this time playing the final at Hampden Park in Glasgow against Eintrach Frankfurt, which was defeated 7-3, with four Puskas' goals.

In the following five editions of Spanish League, Real Madrid won the titles, being Puskas the "Pichichi" in the seasons 60/61, 62/63 and 63/64, and winning the Spanish Cup in 1962. Later in1966, Real Madrid returned to win the European Cup, but Puskas did not play the final, as he did in his last season in white (1966/67) in which he only played friendlies.

With the fall of communism, in September 1992 he set residence in Hungary and incorporated in technical tasks of his national team. Ferenc Puskas died on November 17, 2006 in Budapest because of pneumonia. A few years before the death of this legendary player, in his honor, the National Stadium in Hungary changed its name to the Ferenc Puskas Stadium.

A legendary figure in world football, is considered one of the best players in history. He was elected by FIFA 'Top scorer' of the twentieth century in 2004 and ranks 6th in the ranking of the Best footballer of the twentieth century, published by IFFHS in 2004.