Lorenzo Sanz, former president of the Spanish football giants Real Madrid, passed away at the age of 76 after getting infected with the coronavirus. “With Lorenzo Sanz as president of @realmadriden, the club won two European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup, a league title, a Spanish Super Cup, a basketball league title and the Saporta Cup,” Real Madrid tweeted.
Con Lorenzo Sanz, el Real Madrid conquistó 7 títulos entre 1995 y 2000: 2 Copas de Europa, 1 Copa Intercontinental, 1 Liga, 1 Supercopa de España, 1 Liga de baloncesto y 1 Recopa de baloncesto.#RealMadrid pic.twitter.com/6GjfBb44oJ
— Real Madrid C.F.⚽ (@realmadrid) March 21, 2020
Spain is one of the worst-affected countries by the coronavirus in Europe, with more than 1,300 casualties and over 25,000 cases, the most after the US, Italy and China.
Under Sanz, the club won two Champions League titles from 1995-2000. AFP reported that three days before his passing, Sanz Jr, son of Lorenzo, said his father had been admitted to a Madrid hospital after suffering the symptoms of the coronavirus. Under him, the club had star players such as Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf and Raul, beating Juventus for European glory in 1998.
Sanz was succeeded by Florentino Perez, who remains the head to this date.
Club captain Sergio Ramos tweeted: "Very sad day for Real Madrid. Lorenzo Sanz connected yesterday and today with two numbers for history—7 and 8. His death saddens us even more in these difficult days in which we find ourselves. My deep condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace."
Día muy triste para el madridismo. Lorenzo Sanz conectó el ayer y el hoy con dos números para la historia: 7 y 8. Su muerte entristece aún más estos días difíciles en los que nos encontramos. Mis profundas condolencias para familia y amigos. Descansa en paz.
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) March 21, 2020
In an official statement, Real Madrid said: “During the presidency of Lorenzo Sanz, Real Madrid continued to add to its history and legendary status. He was president of the club when, after 32 years, the club won its much awaited seventh European Cup, in Amsterdam in 1998. With Lorenzo Sanz as president of Real Madrid, the club won two European Cups and an Intercontinental Cup, a league title, a Spanish Super Cup, a basketball league title and the Saporta Cup. Today, all of madridismo is in mourning following the passing of the president who dedicated a huge part of his life to his great passion: Real Madrid. Given the current circumstances, Real Madrid will give him the recognition he deserves as soon as possible.”
