Real Madrid legend Francisco ‘Paco’ Gento dies at 88

Cnn in Spanish) — Francisco “Paco” Gento, honorary president and former Real Madrid player, died this Tuesday at the age of 88.

“Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and its love and affection to his wife Mari Luz, his sons Francisco and Julio, his granddaughters Aitana and Candela and all their relatives, colleagues and loved ones,” the club said in a statement.

Paco Gento played for Real Madrid for 18 seasons, from 1953 to 1971.

His track record certifies him as one of the greatest players in the history of the merengue team.

Gento, or as he was nicknamed, “La Galerna del Cantábrico”, is the only player in the history of football to have won 6 European Cups, all with Real Madrid.

The left winger was part of one of the most historic attacking tridents in world football alongside Ferenc Puskás and “La Saeta Rubia”, Alfredo Di Stefano.

Born in Guarnizo, he won 12 Leagues, 2 Spanish Cups, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Small World Cup and 2 Latin Cups with the Chamartín team.

At Real Madrid, Paco Gento played 600 games and scored 182 goals. In addition, he was international with the Spanish team on 43 occasions.