Alfredo Di Stéfano: The greatest footballer of all time?

Ask most people who is the greatest footballer of all time, and more than likely they will say Pelé.

But if Pelé had been denied the chance to play in three World Cups by a World War, politics, and cruel injury, and an Argentinean by the name of Alfredo Di Stéfano had the opportunity to shine on the world stage, maybe the popular view would be a little different.

Born 14 years before Pelé, Alfredo Di Stéfano was the greatest player of his time, of that there's no doubt. Representing Spain, Argentina and Colombia at international level, securing a record five consecutive European Cup titles for Real Madrid, European Footballer of the Year twice in three years in the late 1950s, here is the player described by his coach at Real Madrid, Miguel Munoz:

"The greatness of Di Stéfano was that, with him in your side, you had two players in every position."

Di Stéfano was total football way before Rinus Michel's Ajax revolution in the 1960s. Defending, attacking, stopping goals, scoring goals, setting up goals, with pace, vision and strength, and all with a fighting spirit.

A quick run through Di Stéfano's career should be enough to convince you of the man's greatness.

Club Football: South America

Born in the suburbs of Buenos Aires on July 4th, 1926, Alfredo was the eldest son of Italian parents. His early years were spent working on his parents' farm, before, aged 12, he joined a youth team called Los Cardales. After winning the amateur championship with Los Cardales, Di Stéfano signed for River Plate when he was just 15, and by 16 had forced his way into the first team squad. River Plate, however, were already well-stocked with strikers, and loaned Di Stéfano to Atletico Huracan.

Di Stéfano was recalled to River Plate in 1947, and "La Saeta Rubia" (The Blond Arrow), as he became known, immediately made an impact, becoming the leading scorer in the league, with 27 goals in 30 games.

River Plate won the title comfortably that year, and again in 1948. A players strike in 1949 saw many Argentine players hop across the border to Colombia, to play in the then unofficial Di Mayor League. Di Stéfano helped his new club Los Millonarios dominate Di Mayor over the coming seasons, winning the league title in 1949, 1951, 1952, and 1953.

Di Stéfano scored 267 goals in his short time at the club, making him Millonarios' second highest scorer of all time.

Club Football: Spain

Real Madrid and rivals Barcelona both tried to sign Di Stéfano, with Real negotiating with Millionairos, and Barcelona with River Plate, with whom Di Stéfano was still contracted. The Spanish FA suggested that he should be able to play for both teams, changing from one to the other at the end of each season.

When Di Stefano rejected this, and the Catalan side's idea of both clubs selling their share in the player to Italian side Juventus, Real were able to sign him for a measly £70,000. It was to become one of the greatest signings the club (or any club) would ever make. Real Madrid won the Spanish league that season and this success paved the way for the European glory and domination.

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