Last farewell at the Bernabéu
Fans, former players, personalities and a large representation of Real Madrid, headed by its president, Florentino Pérez, attended the funeral chapel of former soccer player and honorary president of the club, Amancio Amaro, who died on Tuesday at the age of 83, installed in the VIP box at the Santiago Bernabéu. In the picture, Iker Casillas.
All the trophies won by Amancio
The trophies of the 1966 European Cup, the nine Spanish Leagues, the three Spanish Cups and the 1964 European Cup for national teams won by Amancio Amaro as a player presided over the funeral chapel.
‘Quinta del Buitre’
Emilio Butragueño, Manolo Sanchís, Rafa Martín Vázquez and Miguel Pardeza, four of the five members of the ‘Quinta del Buitre’, which was discovered by Amancio, together with José Miguel González, ‘Míchel’. In the picture, Rafa Martin Vázquez.
Emilio Butragueño returned from Liverpool
The director of Institutional Relations of Real Madrid, Emilio Butragueño, returned from Liverpool, where the team played the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday to pay tribute to ‘El Brujo’.
A very sad day for everyone
«It is a very sad day for all of us. For us, Amancio meant a lot, it was a very beautiful period we lived through at Castilla. As a player he was the best the club had at the time and he passed that winning spirit on to all the young players. Amancio, Gento and Di Stéfano are a mirror in which to constantly look at ourselves, they built what Real Madrid means, and their example will be with us at all times», Butragueño told the club’s official television station. In the image, Miguel Pardeza.
Teammates
Former teammates of the player from A Coruña, such as former national team coach Vicente del Bosque, José Santamaría, who emphasized that he did everything «with a winning mentality», José Martínez ‘Pirri’, who highlighted what a «good and affectionate person» the Galician player was, Vicente Miera and Carlos Alonso Santillana. In the image, Carlos Santillana.
Former Real Madrid players
Also present were former players such as Rául González, Fernando Sanz, Paco Pavón, Pedja Mijatovic, Isidoro San José and Ricardo Gallego, who confessed that the Honorary President of Real Madrid began as his idol and ended up becoming a «good friend». In the picture, Pedja Mijatovic and Fernando Sanz.
Rivals in the field
In addition, ‘rivals’ such as the president of Atlético de Madrid, Enrique Cerezo, accompanied by Roberto Solozábal and Adelardo Rodríguez, a contemporary of the Galician, whom he never saw as «a rival».
Clubs sent representatives
FC Barcelona was represented by one of its vice presidents, Eduard Romeu, and the president of its Players’ Association, Juan Manuel Asensio, who also shared a dressing room with Amaro in the national team. In the picture, Paquita Torre and Cliford Lluyk.
Political authorities
As for the authorities, the president of the Superior Sports Council (CSD), José Manuel Franco, the deputy mayor of Madrid, Begoña Villacís, the vice-president of the Community of Madrid, Enrique Ossorio, and the president of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, visited the mortuary chapel. In the image, Miguel Torres.
The president of the club, Florentino Pérez
The president of Real Madrid, Florentino Pérez, lamented the death of the club’s former player and Honorary President, Amancio Amaro, a person who carried the Madrid team «in his heart» and who was one of its «great legends».
Dear Honorary President
«Today is a day of great sadness for all madridistas and for the whole world of soccer. First of all, on behalf of Real Madrid and myself, I would like to express our deepest condolences for the passing of our beloved Honorary President, Amancio Amaro,» said Florentino Pérez. In the image, Carlo Ancelotti.
One of the club’s great legends
The leader recalled that Amancio «is one of the great legends» of the 14-time European champion, of which he was «one of the best players» in its history and «one of the best soccer wingers in the world». «And above all, he has been an example of what the values of our club represent,» Florentino added. In the image, José Antonio Camacho.
Great sporting achievements
«All madridistas and fans of the sport will remember his great achievements at Real Madrid, with nine Leagues and three Spanish Cups. And especially our historic sixth European Cup at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels in front of thousands of Spanish emigrants from all over Europe who attended that unforgettable final,» commented Florentino. In the picture, Luka Modric.
First Eurocup of the Spanish national team
Florentino also recalled the «unforgettable» victory in 1964 of the first European Championship in the history of the Spanish national team, with Amancio Amaro as a member and protagonist of that team. In the picture, Jorge Valdano and José Emilio Amavisca.
FIFA Selection 1968
Amancio was also a member of the FIFA world team that in 1968 played against Pelé’s Brazil on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the ‘canarinha’s’ first star. In the picture, actor Fernando Andina.
Castilla Coach
The Real Madrid president wanted to remember with special affection his time as coach of Castilla and the fact that he was the discoverer of great figures in the Madrid youth system, such as the Quinta del Buitre. In the picture, Dani Carvajal.
Symbol of respect
«Amancio has been a symbol of respect, companionship, talent, hard work and humility. And we all feel very proud of what he represents for our club,» Florentino confessed. In the image, Álvaro Arbeloa.
In the hearts of all madridistas
«Thank you, dear Amancio, for everything you did to make our club greater. You will always be in the hearts of all madridistas,» said Pérez. In the image, Santiago Hernán Solari.
