Di Stefano for heart surgery operation

Doctors have planned to perform a heart bypass operation on former Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano if his condition remained stable, the hospital said on Tuesday. The 79-year-old Argentine was admitted to hospital after a heart attack on Saturday. Doctors postponed planned surgery last Monday because he had suffered a fever.

According to Reuters reports,"In the last 24 hours, and though the prognosis remains serious, there had been an improvement in his circulation," the statement from Valencia's La Fe hospital said.

"If the current clinical stability continues, the planned bypass operation will take place tomorrow," the report stated further. Doctors at the Valencia hospital had been holding a daily press conference on Di Stefano's condition but last Tuesday, the hospital simply issued a two-paragraph statement.

The hospital's head of cardiac surgery Anastasio Montero said on Monday that Di Stefano's condition had improved."It is a complex case because he is a diabetic and is 79 years old, but despite that I'm optimistic and I think there is a good possibility of him making a recovery," he said.

"He is conscious, aware of what is going on and doesn't need any artificial respiration. He is a strong man and it is clear that he has a great deal of inner belief," he added.

Di Stefano, Real's honorary president and record goalscorer, was admitted to hospital in the Mediterranean coastal town of Sagunto after suffering chest pains early last Saturday and was later transferred to La Fe hospital in nearby Valencia.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the soccer history, Di Stefano led Real Madrid to five consecutive European Cup triumphs between 1956 and 1960 and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1957 and 1959. As well as his European triumphs with Real, Di Stefano also won eight Spanish league titles, the World Club Cup and the King's Cup before joining Barcelona-based Espanyol after falling out with president Santiago Bernabeu in 1964.

Born of Italian parents in Buenos Aires, Di Stefano played for Argentina, Colombia and Spain during his 22-year career and retired at the age of 40 in 1967, playing his final match in a testimonial against Celtic in Madrid.

He then had a distinguished career in coaching, leading Boca Juniors and River Plate to Argentine championships and steering Valencia to the Spanish league title in 1971 and victory over Arsenal in the old European Cup Winners' Cup in 1980.

Di Stefano returned to take over as Real coach between 1982 and 1984, the side finishing runners-up in the title race in consecutive seasons and had a brief spell as caretaker boss with Jose Antonio Camacho in 1990.

He was made honorary president in 2000 when president Florentino Perez came to power and has been a regular presence at official club events.