Amancio Amaro, legend of Real Madrid, has died and Spanish football mourns him with all its pain

Amancio Bitter Varelaformer player and honorary president of Real Madrid e Legend of Spanish footballdied in the early hours of this Tuesday at the age of 83.

“A point of reference for Real Madrid and current honorary president of our club, he was a Real Madrid player from 1962 to 1976. During those 14 seasons he played 471 games, scored 155 goals and became one of the great legends of our squad”recalls in a statement the club chaired by Florentino Pérez on this historic striker born in La Coruña in 1939.

With a “Goodbye Amancio”Real Madrid greets a player who arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu in 1962 from Deportivo, with the stripes of having been the top scorer in the Second Division.

Amancio won the sixth European Cup with Real Madrid, 9 league titles and 3 Spanish cupsas well as being top scorer in 1969 and 1970, and was full international on 42 occasions with the national team, with which he was part of the squad that won the inaugural Euro Cup in 1964 at the Santiago Bernabéu against the Soviet Union. That year he was third in the Ballon d’Or after Scotsman Denis Law and his friend Luis Suárez.

He also participated with the FIFA World Team that faced Brazil in the Maracana in 1968.

The Galician full-back, who retired in June 1976, was also an important man on the Real Madrid bench, above all in charge of the first branch, Castilla, with whom he won the Second Division championship in the 1983/84 season, a real own historical point of reference, and with which fHe was considered the ‘father’ of the famous Quinta del Buitre.

His death comes just over a year after the previous honorary president of the entity Santiago Bernabéu died, Paco Gentowith whom he shared many moments, including the 1966 continental title and in which the Galician opened the scoring in the victory against Partizan, and a few months after being unanimously elected for that honor at the club’s Extraordinary General Assembly held on October 2, 2022.

“This nomination is an honor. I am very excited. I can only thank everyone. My colleagues and friends Alfredo Di Stéfano and Paco Gento were my predecessors and it is an honor to hold this office. Above every name there is always the team and this is the greatness of the club. This is the dream pin for my career. Thank you with all my heart”he said then.

The news, which has had a major impact on Real Madrid and Spanish football, was welcomed by Real Madrid’s first team in Liverpool, where they face German Jurgen Klopp in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday.

farewell messages

The world of football and sport in general has joined the messages of condolences and condolences in a moved greeting to Amancio Bitter Varela.

Former footballers, students of Amancio himself, managers, institutions, clubs, have agreed to express their regret for the disappearance of the Sorcerer.

“LaLiga regrets the death of Amancio Amaro and extends its sincere condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace.”post on your official account The Leaguewhich offers a photo gallery of Amancio football player, coach and honorary president.

Likewise, most of the clubs, including big rivals such as Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona, ​​​​​​and their country’s veterans’ associations were quick to send their condolences to Real Madrid, the family and to friends. Deportivo, the team from which he joined Real Madrid, assures that he will be remembered as “sporty and from A Coruña”, underlines the “national and international recognition he has had” and shows his “most sincere and affectionate condolences”.

“The RFEF regrets the loss of Amancio Amaro, legend of Spanish football, honorary president of Real Madrid, and sends a very heartfelt hug to his family and friends. He was 42 times international and European champion with @sefutbol in 1964. RIP”publishes the Spanish Federation, while FIFA reports that it is “deeply saddened by his death” and notes that he is a “legend” of the Spanish national team and Real Madrid, as well as stating that his “thoughts and condolences are with his family and your friends in these troubled times. Rest in peace.”

Galician like Amancio and Madridista, Alexander Whitepresident of Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), is “saddened by the death” of El Brujo, whom he describes as “a true reference as a footballer, an excellent representative of Real Madrid’s values ​​and a good friend”, as well as sending his “deep condolences to his family , to his loved ones and to the world of sport”.

The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) indicates that it is a “Very sad day for the world of football” and for the organization itself. “We say goodbye to Amancio Amaro, one of the best footballers our country has produced, one of the greatest in history. Our condolences to family, friends, @RealMadrid and @RCDeportivo.”

The group of former internationals of the selection, LegendsSpainalso expresses his “deep condolences to the family and friends of Amancio Amaro, our #LeyendasEspaña 301, absolute international 42 times and European champion with @SEFutbol in 1964, who passed away at the age of 83. Farewell to one of the greats. DEP ” .

The Italian Charles Ancelottiwho not long ago had the opportunity to share a good moment with Amancio and other former Real Madrid players, did not want to miss the opportunity to publish his memory as well.

“Hasta Siempre Brujo. Always in our hearts”indicates French Karim Benzemathe current first-team captain, who wore the armband for many years, said: “Today our honorary president passed away. One more star in the sky will illuminate all Real Madrid fans. Rest in peace Bruxo.”

Former striker Alfonso Pérez Munozalso present at that meeting, which was attended by José Martínez Pirri, Carlos Santillana, Emilio Butragueño, José Antonio Camacho, Isidoro Sanjosé, Rafael Martín Vázquez and Fernando Sanz, says he feels “very sad about the death of Amancio, our friend , teammate and honorary president of Real Madrid. A legend of madridismo. DEP”.

The former basketball player Jose Luis Llorenteformer player of the Juventus club and nephew of the former honorary president of Real Madrid, Paco Gento, assures that he is “dismayed” by his death and recalls having had the “luck of speaking on numerous occasions” with Amancio, “a simple man, honest, an extraordinary footballer. An illustrious symbol of Real Madrid, its history and its virtues. DEP”.

Another great referent of Spanish and world basketball, the former Barcelonista Paul Gasolextends his “deepest condolences to his family and friends”

Source: EFE