MADRID (REUTERS) - Former Real Madrid football star Alfredo di Stefano, 88, has died in a Madrid hospital two days after suffering a heart attack, Spanish newspapers reported on Monday.

Argentina-born di Stefano, who helped turn Real Madrid into a leading side in the 1950s and is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time, was taken to the intensive care unit of the Gregorio Maranon hospital on Saturday.

He had suffered an 18-minute respiratory arrest, emergency services sources said.

El Pais and El Mundo newspapers reported di Stefano's death. Real and the Gregorio Maranon hospital could not immediately be reached for comment.