Moving farewell to Amancio at the Santiago Bernabéu

Fans, former players, famous personalities and a wide representation of Real Madrid, headed by the club president, Florentino Pérez, have been visiting the memorial chapel of Amancio Amaro, located at the Santiago Bernabéu. Ancelott, Modrić and Carvajal also attended to bid farewell to the club's honorary president. The coach said: 'He was a wonderful legend. We have to keep the memory alive of a person who has contributed so much to Madrid and to football'. Carvajal: 'He will go down in history for all his achievements and for defending the values and the hard work of the academy players. We dedicate the win at Anfield to him'.
 
The trophies of the 1966 European Cup, the 9 league trophies, the 3 Copa de España trophies and the 1964 European Cup for national teams lifted by Amancio as a player stand proudly in the memorial chapel, where Real Madrid legends like Butragueño, Sanchís, Martín Vázquez, and Pardeza, four of the five members of La Quinta del Buitre, which Amancio invented.

Butragueño said: It's a very sad day for all of us. Amancio meant a lot to us, the time we spent at Castilla was a very beautiful period. As a player he was the best the club had back then and he transmitted that winning spirit to all the youngsters. Amancio, Gento and Di Stéfano are a reflection to look at constantly. They built what Real Madrid stands for. Their inspiration will be with us at all times”. Pardeza: 'He was a tremendous player and a great loss for Madrid fans. I only have words of appreciation for his work and his person. He was a great maestro'. 
 
Sanchís: “I was lucky enough to have him as a coach when I was starting out in the team. That generation had two of the most influential people who have left us: Alfredo Di Stéfano and Amancio. We can only express our gratitude for giving us the foundation for what became long and successful careers. It is always important that someone at the beginning gives you the opportunity”. Martín Vázquez: “It's a very sad day for Real Madrid. He was an icon and one of the best in the history of Madrid. His legacy will live on. In life you need someone to give you a chance and he provided that opportunity for many of us”.

Legends
Santillana, who played alongside Amancio, said: 'He's a legend and Real Madrid has lost an integral part of the club's history. We called him 'El Brujo' because he worked his magic, he was extremely skilful and outshone everyone else”. Pirri also played with him. Both were in the team that claimed the club's sixth European Cup: 'He was my captain, my teammate and, most importantly, a great friend. He had a wonderful character, he was very affectionate'. Raúl: 'He was a club legend and played a part in the history of Real Madrid. He will always be present at every match and always in our thoughts. He was a passionate footballer.”

Casillas: 'He was a big inspiration for all madridistas and it's a great loss'. Santamaría: 'A friend has gone. He did everything with a winning mentality'. Miera: 'He was a great teammate and friend. I remember he always encouraged everyone in the dressing room and as a player he was a wonderful footballer'. Gallego: 'He began as my role model and ended up being a good friend. He was a different player and did things that were quite difficult to see at the time. Camacho: 'He was my hero from an early age and I was lucky enough to play with him and have him as a coach'.

San José: “As well as his talent, his character gave him uniqueness. It's very difficult to have a generation as good as the Quinta del Buitre, but it's also extremely difficult to bring them to the top, and he did it”. Fernando Sanz: 'He is a legend in his own right and will always be fondly remembered at Real Madrid”. Antonio Ruiz: 'He was a genius of this sport, a shining light that lit up everything on the pitch'. Also present, among many other former legendary players of the club, were Del Bosque, Mijatovic, Valdano, Solari, Emiliano Rodríguez and Clifford Luyk.

Women’s team
Coach Alberto Toril commemorated Amancio: 'A legend has left us. He achieved so many things and the club appreciated him. He leaves us safe in the knowledge that he is a greatly loved person with strong values'. Nahikari: ' He's a number 7 to remember, a number with a lot of history because of players like him'.
 
Spanish football
Representatives from other Spanish football clubs also attended. Atlético Madrid were represented president Enrique Cerezo:” He was a magnificent player and a terrific person. Any football fan should pay tribute to him because he was one of the greats. He was very loved in the Atlético community and we are proud to have known him.” He was accompanied by Roberto Solozábal, president of their Former Players' Association, and Adelardo, president of the Foundation and Atlético Madrid legend, who said: 'He wasn't a rival, he was a friend'.
 
Representing Barcelona were Eduard Romeu, vice-president of the financial division, and Juan Manuel Asensi, president of the Players' Association and Catalans legend. On behalf of Athletic Club, former player Andoni Goikoetxea attended, while from Espanyol, Rafa Marañón, advisor to the Catalan club and Amancio's teammate at Real Madrid, visited the chapel. AFE president David Aganzo was also present.
 
Famous figures
The Santiago Bernabéu Presidential box was also attended by José Manuel Franco, President of the High Council for Sport; Alberto Núñez Feijóo, President of the People's Party; Begoña Villacís, Deputy Mayoress of Madrid; and Enrique Ossorio, Vice-President of the Comunidad de Madrid.