Real Madrid’s honorary president Alfredo Di Stefano has been fitted with a pacemaker and is expected to leave hospital in the next few days, doctors said in a statement.

“An operation to fit Alfredo Di Stefano with a pacemaker has been carried out successfully,” said a medical report.

“The patient is making favourable progress in the hospital ward and is waiting to receive approval for his discharge in the next few days.

The 79-year-old underwent bypass surgery and left intensive care on January 3.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Di Stefano led Real to five consecutive European Cup triumphs between 1956 and 1960 and was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1957 and 1959.

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