Real Madrid Legend José Emilio Santamaría Dies at 96

José Emilio Santamaría, a prominent figure in football and a former player for Real Madrid, died at the age of 96. He joined Real Madrid in 1957 from the Uruguayan club Nacional and became a key player during a golden era for the club, which included legends like Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, Francisco Gento, and Raymond Kopa.

Santamaría won four European Cups with Real Madrid in 1958, 1959, 1960, and 1966, along with six La Liga titles. He also represented Uruguay 25 times and later became a naturalized Spaniard.

Santamaría played in the 1962 World Cup for Spain and later took on the role of coach for the national team during the 1982 World Cup. Real Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, expressed the club's mourning for one of its greatest legends.