Prior to the rise of Pelé, Alfredo Di Stéfano sat on the throne as the world’s greatest footballer. The Argentina-born striker and attacking midfielder played for three National Teams – his native La Albiceleste, Colombia, and Spain –internationally, but it was during his storied club tenures with River Plate, FC Millonarios (Colombia) and Real Madrid CF (1953-64) that the “Blonde Arrow (Saeta Rubia)” became legendary. He led Real Madrid to eight La Liga and five European Cup titles, receiving the coveted Ballon d’Or twice (1957 and ’59) and earning the Pichichi Trophy (La Liga’s top goalscorer) five times.

His managerial career stretched from the late 1960s to the early ‘90s including successful stops at his former clubs River Plate and Real Madrid, but it was on the pitch where the Stéfano will forever be worshiped. Possessing a never-before-seen combination of dynamic dribbling and vision, quickness and stamina, power and finesse, he could score every type of goal imaginable but was best known for his clinical volleys and bicycle kicks into the back of the net. In a 2015 vote to determine the Football Player of the Century consulting former Ballon d'Or winners, Alfredo finished fourth behind Pelé, Maradona, and Johan Cruyff. Yet it was Pelé himself who called Di Stéfano “the best player ever" in 2009.

Featured here is a special piece of football history that most collectors have never come across: one of Alfredo Di Stéfano’s Real Madrid match worn home jerseys dating to the 1960-64 era. The white long-sleeved shirt is made of 100% cotton by Mont-Halt, a Spanish apparel brand owned by the former president of FC Barcelona that fitted several La Liga clubs at that time. The classic Madrid Football Club (MFC) crest is embroidered on the left chest adjacent to a lovely Di Stéfano autograph and “Con simpática (with sympathy)” inscription in 8/10 black marker. The reverse has the Argentine’s iconic number “9” in large blue. The shirt has a ribbed crew neck and ribbed sleeve ends. It is properly tagged in the inner collar with a vintage Mont-Halt label with visible wear throughout the body in the form of scattered sweat and soil staining from on-field action. According to MEARS, the level of use is “heavy” and tailored measurements match other Di Stéfano exemplars. (No size is indicated.) Overall, this museum-worthy and hobby-fresh gamer presents wonderfully. It comes with jersey authentication paperwork from MEARS plus a full LOA from PSA/DNA for the autograph and inscription.