Real Madrid icon dies as statement sparks outpour of tributes for 'one of greatest legends in world'

Ed Griffiths
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:59:10 +0000

José Emilio Santamaría, the legendary defender known as "The Wall", has died at the age of 96.

He became infamous for helping establish Real Madrid's dominance in European football in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The Spanish club confirmed the news on Wednesday.

They described the Uruguayan-born centre-back as "one of the greatest legends of our club and of world football".

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Santamaría earned his famous moniker through his formidable defensive performances for both Los Blancos and the national teams of Uruguay and Spain during a remarkable playing career.

La Liga also issued a statement mourning his passing and extending condolences to his family and friends.

During his nine seasons at the Bernabéu from 1957 to 1966, Santamaría amassed an extraordinary collection of honours, including four European Cup triumphs in 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1966.

The centre-back also claimed six Spanish league championships and one Copa del Rey across 337 appearances for the club.

He formed part of a legendary side that secured the first consecutive European Cups in history, playing alongside icons such as Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, Francisco Gento and Raymond Kopa.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez said: "Alongside Di Stéfano, Puskás, Gento and Kopa, that team began to build the legend of Real Madrid."

Before joining Real Madrid, Santamaría had already established himself as a top-class defender in his homeland, winning five Uruguayan Championship titles with Club Nacional de Football in Montevideo.

Born in the Uruguayan capital to Spanish parents, he represented his country of birth 25 times and featured at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland.

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Santamaría subsequently became a naturalised Spaniard and switched international allegiance, going on to earn 16 caps for his adopted nation from 1958 onwards.

He appeared for Spain at the 1962 World Cup in Chile, becoming one of the rare players to represent two different countries at football's showpiece tournament.

Following his retirement as a player in 1966, Santamaría transitioned into coaching.

He began with Real Madrid's youth academy.

He took charge of RCD Espanyol for seven seasons from 1971, becoming the club's most experienced manager in terms of official matches with 252 games.

Santamaría also led Spain's Olympic squad at the 1968 Mexico City Games and the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

He then took the senior national team to the 1982 World Cup on home soil.

Perez added: "Santamaría always exemplified the values of our club, and until his last moment, Real Madrid was the great passion of his life."