NEWS STORY. 18/01/2022
Today is a very sad day not only for madridismo but also for the football world.
First of all, I would like to extend, on behalf of Real Madrid and myself personally, our deepest condolences at the passing of our beloved honorary president, Francisco Gento.
All of our love and sympathy go to his wife Mari Luz, to his sons Francisco and Julio, to his granddaughters Aitana and Candela and to all his relatives, teammates and loved ones.
Francisco Gento arrived at Real Madrid at the age of just 19 from his beloved Racing de Santander and represented Real Madrid for 18 years. It was here that he would become one of the biggest legends of our club and one of the most famous players in world football. He formed part of a generation of legendary players, who changed Real Madrid's history and turned it into the most prestigious and loved club in the world.
Under the leadership of Santiago Bernabéu and alongside Di Stéfano, Puskas, Kopa, Rial, Santamaría, Santisteban, Amancio, Pirri and Araquistain, amongst many other legends, Francisco Gento played in a team that was legendary and unforgettable for all football fans.
To this day, Francisco Gento's record is almost unrepeatable. The only player to have won six European Cups in the history of football. Six European Cups at just one club: Real Madrid. His lifelong club. The club that he represented and held in his heart until the very last moment.
The 6 European Cups (5 of them in a row) and 12 league titles reflect his importance over the 600 games he played for Real Madrid. He scored 182 time and was capped 43 times by the Spanish national team. He was also awarded the Gran Cruz de la Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo, as well as other distinctions.
Francisco Gento, in addition to his trophies and what he achieved on the pitch, won the affection of all madridistas as well as those of his opponents due to his exemplary behaviour and the way he conducted himself throughout his life.
I am passionate about football and Real Madrid thanks to players like Francisco Gento, who I watched from the age of four when my father took me to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
I have also been lucky enough to enjoy a great friendship with Francisco Gento, whose way of life was based on the values of Real Madrid and sport. Madridistas and football fans in general should be proud of a player who has been instrumental in spreading the name of Real Madrid across every continent.
Francisco Gento is one of our most important legends and will be remembered by everyone as one of the best players in our 119 years history. He embodies all our values: humility, respect, teamwork, talent, hard work and sacrifice.
Thank you, beloved Paco. Thank you, beloved Francisco Gento. Thank you, honorary president of Real Madrid for everything you did for our club. You will never be forgotten and you will always be in our memories.
