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Former Real Madrid defender and Spain national team coach Jose Emilio Santamaria has died at the age of 96, the Spanish club announced on Wednesday.
Real Madrid paid tribute to what it described as “one of the greatest legends of our club and of world football,” mourning the loss of the former centre-back who featured during one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.
Santamaria joined Real Madrid in 1957 from Uruguay’s Nacional and became a key figure in a dominant side that shaped the club’s global legacy.
Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez said Santamaria was part of a historic generation that helped define Madrid’s identity, noting that “alongside Di Stefano, Puskas, Gento and Kopa, that team began building the legend of Real Madrid.”
Born in Uruguay, Santamaría won four European Cups with Real Madrid in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1966, along with six La Liga titles during his decorated spell.
He earned 25 caps for Uruguay before later becoming a naturalised Spaniard, representing Spain at the 1962 World Cup and eventually taking charge of the national team as coach.
