He caught the eye in Spain when he played in an exhibition match as part of Real's 50th anniversary celebrations in 1952 and became the object of one of the most controversial transfer sagas in the history of Spanish football as Real and Barcelona conducted a tug-of-war to secure his services.
He actually played three friendly matches for the Catalans while the dispute was going on.
Depending on which side of the fence you stand, Real got their man in the end either because they were sharper operators or because of official connivance from the government.
Di Stefano transformed Real from a club that had won only two league titles in the previous 50 years, the last in 1936, into the dominant force in Spanish and European football.
The club went on to win five consecutive European Cups, eight league titles and the first World Club Cup in 1960 with Di Stefano leading the way alongside other greats Ferenc Puskas, Raymond Kopa, Paco Gento and Hector Rial.
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Image: Real Madrid's honorary president Di Stefano (right) is congratulated by Real Madrid's French player Zinedine Zidane at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium at Real Madrid sports city in Madrid on May 9, 2006
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