Farewell to the legendary José Emilio Santamaría

Real Madrid has announced the passing of José Emilio Santamaría, described as “one of the greatest legends of our club and of world soccer.” The former Hispanic-Uruguayan defender, who won four Champions Cups with the club between the 1950s and 1960s (1958, 1959, 1960 and 1966), has died at the age of 96.

“Santamaría will remain in the memory as one of the great symbols of our club,” said President Florentino Pérez. “He was part of a team that will remain in the memory of all Madridistas and soccer fans around the world. Together with Di Stéfano, Puskás, Gento and Kopa, that team began to build the myth of Real Madrid.” Born in Montevideo in 1929, he played for Nacional for about ten years before moving to Real Madrid, where he stayed from 1957 to 1966.

During his career he also changed national teams: after playing for Uruguay between 1952 and 1957 and taking part in the 1954 World Cup, he obtained Spanish citizenship and was called up with Spain about fifteen times, even participating in the 1958 World Cup. After finishing as a player, he embarked on a coaching career, leading Espanyol for seven years and then the Spanish national team between 1980 and 1982.