WORLD-CLASS, NO WORLD CUP

Di Stefano scored six goals in seven matches for his native Argentina and 31 goals in 23 matches for his adopted Spain, but never got to play in the finals of a World Cup. Argentina did not play in the 1950 and 1954 finals. Spain failed to qualify in 1958 and in 1962 Di Stefano was injured.
TROPHIES AND TITLES

Among other titles, he won five consecutive European Cups with Real Madrid -- in 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960 -- and eight Spanish league titles between 1954 and 1964. Earlier in Argentina he had won two league titles (1945 and 1947) with River Plate and then three in Colombia with Millonarios (1949, 1951 and 1952).
INDIVIDUAL HONOURS

He was the European Football of the Year in 1957 and 1959 and was top scorer in the Spanish league five times, first in 1954 and then each consecutive year from 1956 to 1959 while playing for the Real Madrid, the performances that earn his era the golden age for the club.
COACHING

After retiring as a player he coached 12 sides including Sporting Lisbon, Valencia, River Plate and his beloved Real Madrid. Among his achievements as a coach were two Argentine league titles -- with Boca Juniors in 1969 and River Plate in 1981 -- and one Spanish league title with Valencia in 1980.