Prepared to play for the highest bidder, he mixed with the rich and famous, was the star of a film about himself and the victim of a dramatic kidnapping in Venezuela.
Gruff, egocentric, impatient and with a wry sense of humour, Di Stefano did not suffer fools gladly but above all he was a brilliant footballer and fierce competitor who has left an indelible mark on the game.
Twice European Footballer of the Year in 1957 and 1959, Di Stefano scored 418 goals in 510 official games for Real Madrid.
Until a few years ago he was the all-time top scorer in the European Cup with 49 goals. His successor Raul took almost twice as many games to beat his mark.
Di Stefano scored an estimated 893 goals throughout his career, making him one of the highest goal scorers in the history of football.
English football awaits new dawn
Image: Di Stefano speaks to journalists at the Spanish embassy in Caracas on August 26, 1963 after being released by his kidnappers. Di Stefano was taken hostage for two days by a Venezuelian revolutionary group before being released, blindfolded, near the embassy.
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