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Real Madrid icon Di Stefano suffers cardiac arrest

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The 88-year-old is in a serious condition in hospital after being taken ill upon leaving a restaurant in the Spanish capital

Former Real Madrid striker Alfredo Di Stefano is in a serious condition in hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack.

The club's honorary president, who turned 88 this week, was taken ill after leaving a restaurant in Calle Juan Ramon Jimenez in the Spanish capital, and was rushed to the Gregorio Maranon hospital after being treated by paramedics.

Madrid president Florentino Perez visited Di Stefano on Saturday, after which the hospital released a medical update which read: "Alfredo Di Stefano has been admitted to the General Universitario Gregorio Maranon Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest, after which the emergency services were able to stabilise him.

"The patient is currently in the Coronary Unit at the Gregorio Maranon Hospital, he is under sedation, with endotracheal intubation and artificial ventilation and is being subjected to the relevant clinical trials.

"The patient is clinically and haemodynamically stable but his condition remains serious."

Argentina-born Di Stefano won eight Primera Liga titles and five European Cups in a sensational decade at Santiago Bernabeu, in which time he scored over 300 goals in 396 appearances.

The former Spain international, who was made honorary president of the Spanish giants in 2000, suffered a minor heart attack in December 2005.