In 1949, his first season at Millionarios, he helped them to the Colombian Championship, a feat he was to manage three more times during his time there. He was by no means the only big name at Millionarios. The high wages paid lured a star-studded team to Colombia, but none of the stars shined as brightly as Di Stefano.
In 1951, Millionarios won the Colombian Championship again, and Di Stefano was the top scorer not only in the Colombian League, but the whole of South America. More of the same followed in 1952 as he repeated the feat.
Di Stefano impressed so much that the Colombian National team were considering calling him up. Being outside FIFA regulations, this was allowed, and Di Stefano eventually played four times for them. He failed to score for them, but made his presence felt.
1953 was another eventful year for Di Stefano. He helped Millionarios to another Championship, and a Colombian Cup, as well as being named South American Player of the Year and World Club Cup top scorer.
However, it was a friendly match that changed Di Stefano's life most. In a tournament celebrating Real Madrid's fiftieth year, Di Stefano's Millionarios went to Spain and won the tournament.
The Spanish had been alerted to his talent. Immediately a race went on for his signature. Real Madrid and Barcelona were the two front runners. At one point they agreed to share the player for four years, with Di Stefano playing for both clubs alternatively.
The Barcelona fans went mad at this. The manager left just days after, and the new management gave Real Madrid the chance to buy Di Stefano outright, something which Madrid did for a rather modest £70,000.
He left Millionarios having scored 267 goals in 292 games, after just four years there.
Di Stefano was already 27 when he signed for Madrid. But that didn't stop him. It took him a few games to settle in, but he announced himself on the scene against, who else, Barcelona.
They met just one day after Barcelona had handed over the permanent rights for Di Stefano. If they had just waited a day longer, perhaps the face of football would be different. Di Stefano inspired Madrid to a 5-0 win over their great rivals, scoring four goals himself.
In his first season at Madrid, he helped them to the La Liga title, and then again the very next season. In those two seasons, Di Stefano managed 52 goals in 58 games in the league.
The success in the 1954-55 season allowed Madrid to qualify for the first ever European Cup competition.
Real Madrid met Servette, Partizan Belgrade, and AC Milan on their way to final to face a Raymond Kopa inspired Stade De Reims. Despite falling behind twice, Madrid managed to win the match 4-3, and the inaugural European Cup competition.
Di Stefano, naturally, scored in the final.
In 1957, Madrid won their second consecutive European Cup, with Di Stefano again scoring in the final, and a La Liga title. On a personal level, he was awarded with the European Footballer of the Year award.
It was this year that Di Stefano first represented Spain at international level, his third international team. He went on to win 31 caps, scoring 23 goals.
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