REAL Madrid veteran Alfredo di Stefano is about to marry a woman nearly 51 years younger than him.
The Argentinian-born legend has been a widower since 2005 and says he is 'in love' and that although he is due to turn 87 in July, 'has a young heart'.
Gina González, 36, is originally from Costa Rica and the couple met when she was helping him write his book, and was drawn to him initially by his sense of humour.
Di Stefano, now honorary president of Real Madrid, whom he turned into a winning side internationally after joining them 60 years ago this year, is known as La Saeta Rubia, or 'the blond arrow'.
Blighted with age-related health problems and frequently having to use a wheelchair, the retired player said he did not care what anyone thought about his upcoming marriage – not even his children.
“What do you think my children would say about it? Maybe they are against it, but that is not important to me. They are going to have a go at me but I will take it with sincerity.
“If anyone wants to ask me about it, let them, and I will explain.
“I am only interested in my life and in being happy, not in causing lots of trouble.”
Back in the early 1950s, Real Madrid were serial under-achievers until Alfredo di Stefano joined them and turned them into one of the most famous teams on the planet.
They made it to five Euro Cups on the trot, between 1956 and 1960, scoring in the finals each time under his guidance.
Universally acknowledged to be one of the best players in history, Di Stefano defied critics of his late-life romance by saying: “Each madman to his own.”
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