History-maker: Real Madric icon Francisco ‘Paco’ Gento is the only footballer ever to win six European Cups
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Francisco ‘Paco’ Gento, the Real Madrid great who is the only player ever to win six European Cups, has died at the age of 88.
Gento played with Madrid for 18 seasons, from 1953-71, and his 23 titles in official competitions is a record he shares with Brazilian full-back Marcelo, who tied with him on Sunday by winning the Spanish Super Cup with Real.
Gento - who is survived by his wife, Mari Luz, and sons Francisco and Julio - played 600 games for the club, scoring 182 goals and helped them win 12 LaLiga titles. He also played 43 times for Spain between 1955-69.
“Paco Gento truly represents all the values of Real Madrid, and has been and will continue to be a reference for madridistas and for the sporting world,” Real Madrid said in a statement.
“He will always be remembered by madridistas and all football fans as one of their greatest.”
