To speak about Di Stéfano is to speak about a living legend. Throughout the decades of the 50s and 60s he illuminated an entire generation of football fans and still continues to do so today. All the audiovisual content of that time shows the clear magnitude of a player ahead of his time, who made quality his trademark and gave Spain some of its best football years.
Born in Argentina on July 4th 1926, his first steps as a professional were in his home country, until he got to Spain and became national in 1956. On January 30th 1957 he made his debut with the National Team in a memorable match against the Netherlands, in a squad at the time led by Manuel Meana and beat the Dutch in the Bernabéu with a 5-1 triumph. In his first match he made clear that he was not just any player. Three goals in 90 minutes which served to begin writing history with gold letters in his trajectory of the National Team which he shared with other great players of our country.
The attackers were made up, besides Di Stéfano, by Kubala, Luis Suárez and Gento, an unforgettable line up which began drilling rival's goals. He played 31 matches and scored 23 goals, which for decades turned him into the top scorer of the National side. Due to life's turning points he was unable to take part in a World Cup with Spain, but his importance with that generation has engraved in the history of the team, until he was injured in one of the last preparatory matches for the Chile '62 World Cup, accompanied by the national team in the South American country. Despite not walking onto the pitch, his presence on the bench was enough to intimidate the rivals.
Those were his last days with the National Team. His fine technique when dribbling the ball and the fierceness he showed against the opponent's goal are the best result of golden years.
Pelé, confessed that «Di Stéfano was better than Maradona and I. People discuss whether Pelé or Maradona is better. Di Stéfano, for me, is far more complete.»
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