Condolences for Francisco Gento

Sport Lisboa e Benfica deeply regrets the passing of Francisco Gento, honorary president of Real Madrid and one of the best players ever to play for the Spanish club and in world football.

In this moment of sorrow, Sport Lisboa e Benfica expresses its most heartfelt condolences to Real Madrid and all the relatives, friends and admirers of Paco Gento, a great name in football, the only player ever to win six European Cups, who passed away on Tuesday, January 18, at the age of 88.

The Real Madrid legend, in addition to being the footballer in history with the most European Cups, won 12 Spanish Leagues, two Spanish Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and two Latin Cups. In 2016, Real Madrid named him honorary president of the club.

Despite being the king of the European Cup, there were two finals in which he did not win: in 1961/62 against Benfica and in 1963/64 against Inter Milan. In the Amsterdam final, against Glorioso, Real Madrid head to the dressing room winning by 2-3, with a hat-trick from Puskás. In the second half, however, the hurricane Eusébio appeared, with a brace, and the Reds won by 5-3, with goals from José Águas, Cavém, Coluna and Eusébio (2), thus lifting the second consecutive European Cup.

Years later, in 2012, Gento recalled that final in which he was team captain and left praise for his friend Eusébio and Benfica. "He was a force of nature", he said, when characterizing the Black Panther. "Well, Benfica was too, with Coluna, Águas, Cavém. They were the reigning champions, they were a dream team", he completed.

Physically strong and very fast, Paco Gento stood out on Real Madrid's left wing. With 18 seasons at Real Madrid, he was the first player to reach the 600 matches milestone for the club, and scored 182 goals. International with Spain, he amassed 43 caps, scored five goals and played in the World Cup 1962 (Chile) and World Cup 1966 (England).