Former Real Madrid legend Jose Santamaria dies at 96 after four European Cup wins

Jose Emilio Santamaria, former Real Madrid defender and Spain's 1982 World Cup coach, has died at age 96, the club announced on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Santamaria, born in Uruguay, joined Real Madrid in 1957 from Nacional and was part of the legendary Di Stefano, Puskas, Gento, and Kopa era. He won four European Cups (1958, 1959, 1960, 1966) and six La Liga titles with Madrid before playing for Uruguay and later Spain at the 1962 World Cup, which he later coached. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez called him "one of the greatest legends of our club and of world football." The club did not disclose the cause of death.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/04/15/real-madrid-great-santamaria-dies-at-96/