I might have played football with the pope, says Real Madrid star Di Stefano - NDTV

He recalled youth scenes where a lot of the kiddies in a nearby used to play free-for-all baseball until past sunset, whilst the 86-year-old Real Madrid tale is 10 years more than Pope Francis. Madrid:A Former Argentina and Spain great Alfredo Di Stefano believes he could have played basketball against newly elected Pope Francis if the two were kids throwing balls around in the streets of Buenos Aires. Writing in his regular column in Spanish activities daily Marca, Di Stefano said he grew up in the exact same neighborhood as other Argentine Jorge Mario Bergoglio, and that his compatriot's elevation to the papacy "has filled me with great joy." where all of the young ones in a nearby used to play free-for-all baseball until past sunset while the 86-year-old Real Madrid tale is 10 years avove the age of Francis, he remembered youth views. "Pope Francis and I went along to the exact same college in Buenos Aires," he explained. "He lived in a two blocks from my family's home, where my sister Norma however resides." Di Stefano said many kiddies in his community were keen participants and that it absolutely was probably a young Bergoglio could have been among them. "In our area we used to hold significant football sessions that proceeded until it got dark, with every one playing against each other," he said. "Maybe the pope was one of many men football was played by me with in the street." Di Stefano said he was already a large enough talent for many local children to learn who he was, and that it was probably the pope might have appreciated should they played together. "At that time I was the famous one because from the very young age I belonged to River Plate's youth staff, everybody realized me," Di Stefano said. Di Stefano went on to become perhaps the very best player of his creation, starring for Real Madrid between 1953-64 and leading the club to five straight European Cups. He turned nationality to represent Spain, and later moved forth and back between Spanish and Argentine clubs all through his coaching career. Di Stefano is an honorary president of Madrid, and his fascination with soccer meant when his compatriot emerged while the pope he missed the moment. "I must acknowledge that while everyone else saw the white smoke live, I found it later," he wrote. "I was, as always, watching a football game."

Via: [Live Football] Sabadell - UD Las Palmas - Spanish League forward