PARIS: Real Madrid legend Paco Gento, the only footballer in history to have won six European Cups, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 88.
Gento had been the honorary president of Real Madrid until his death, a position he had inherited from his friend and former teammate Alfredo Di Stefano.
Together, the pair converted Real Madrid into the standout Spanish and European powerhouse, winning five consecutive European Cups, a milestone that no one has been able to match.
Gento’s club record of 23 trophies, which stood for over 50 years, was equalled on Sunday by Real captain Marcelo when he came on as a substitute in the Super Cup victory. He scored 182 goals in 600 matches, also accruing among his trophies 12 league titles and two Spanish Cups from 1953-1971.
“Real Madrid C. F., the club’s president and the Board of Directors are deeply saddened by the death of Francisco Gento, honorary president of Real Madrid and one of the greatest legends of our club and of world football,” read Real’s statement.
The statement added, “Paco Gento is the only player in the history of football to have won the European Cup 6 times. He will always be remembered by madridistas and all football fans as one of their greatest.”
“Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and its love and affection to his wife Mari Luz, his sons Francisco and Julio, his granddaughters Aitana and Candela and all their relatives, colleagues and loved ones,” it concluded.
Gento played on the left wing in a formidable attacking line-up with some of the greatest names of the era, including Alfredo di Stefano, Raymond Kopa and Ferenc Puskas.
They won five successive European Cups from 1956 to 1960 with Gento surviving a cull of that generation by former teammate-turned-manager Miguel Munoz and going on to lift the trophy for a sixth time in 1966.
