Di Stefano suffers heart attack

Alfredo di Stefano, 88, suffered a heart attack in central Madrid on Saturday and was rushed to hospital, where he's reportedly in critical condition.

"He suffered a heart attack and was taken to the cardiac unit of Gregorio Maranon hospital," a hospital spokesman told the AFP news agency.

"His status is that he is in a coma and we are keeping an eye on his progress," the spokesman said.

Football legend

Di Stefano is one of Real Madrid's most legendary players, having represented the club for eleven seasons between 1953-1964.

During his career with the club, Real Madrid won five European Cup titles.

Known as 'La Saeta Rubia' (the blond arrow), the Argentine-Spaniard is the honorary president of Real Madrid.

Health problems

The Spanish daily El Pais reported that Di Stefano had been eating with his family near the Santiago Bernabeu stadium when he fell ill and sat down in his wheelchair. He was in cardiac arrest by the time an ambulance arrived.

The 88-year-old has suffered numerous health problems in recent years. He was fitted with a pacemaker in 2005.

slk/ipj (AP, AFP, Reuters)