Amancio Amaro dead at 83: Real Madrid legend and honorary president who won European Cup and nine titles dies
REAL MADRID legend Amancio Amaro has died aged 83, the Spanish giants have confirmed.
Amancio played for Real Madrid between 1962 and 1976, winning nine LaLiga titles and a European Cup.
He also represented Deportivo La Coruna between 1958 and 1962, in addition to earning 42 Spain caps.
Nick named El Brujo, meaning The Magician, Amancio played for Madrid during an amazing period of success.
In a club statement, the LaLiga champions wrote: “Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Amancio Amaro, honorary president of Real Madrid and one of the great legends of our club and of world football.
“Real Madrid would like to express its condolences and affection to his wife Consuelo, his children Oscar, Belen, Amancio, Patricia, Marcos and Claudia, his brother Juan Carlos, his grandchildren and all his relatives, colleagues and loved ones.”
Amancio equalised in the 1966 European Cup final, as Madrid came from behind to beat Partizan Belgrade in Brussels.
In total, the forward player bagged 155 times in 471 appearances for Real Madrid.
Amancio helped Spain win the European Championship of 1964, scoring in the semi-final win over Hungary.
After retiring from playing, Amancio stayed involved at Santiago Bernabeu.
He began coaching Madrid’s youth teams, before taking a job as Real Madrid Castilla boss.
Amancio guided Castilla to the 1984 Segunda title, before taking on the job as first team boss later that year.
Following a year in charge, he went on to work for Real Madrid as a consultant, board member and honorary president – a position to which he was elected last year.
Madrid’s statement added: “Amancio Amaro has passed away at the age of 83. He will be remembered by all Madridistas and by all football fans as one of the great legends of this sport.
“Real Madrid extends its condolences to all Real Madrid fans. Rest in peace.”