Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz has died in hospital at the age of 76.
Sanz was hospitalised earlier this week after falling ill, with his family believing that he had contracted coronavirus.
He was tested for COVID-19 while in hospital and was confirmed as positive before his death, due to kidney failure.
Sanz spent five years at the helm at the Santiago Bernabeu, during which the Los Blancos won two Champions League titles.
His eldest son, Lorenzo, confirmed the news on Saturday.
“My father has just died. He didn’t deserve this ending and in this manner.
(Image: Reuters)
“He was one of the best, brave and hardest-working men I have seen in my life. His family and Real Madrid were his passion.
“My mother and my siblings enjoyed every moment with him with pride. RIP.”
Sanz was an influential figure at Madrid, and was responsible for hiring former England boss Fabio Capello as manager, while he also signed the likes of Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos, Argentine star Fernando Redondo and Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf.
A father of five, one of his daughters is married to ex-Madrid full-back Michel Salgado.
Madrid had sent a message to their former owner via Twitter on Wednesday, saying: “We wish Lorenzo Sanz, ex-president of @realmadrid, all our support and best wishes. The entire Real Madrid family sends its strength and encouragement.”
(Image: Reuters)
Earlier this week, while in intensive care, his son, former Madrid defender Fernando stated: “We’ve finished speaking to the doctor and the news isn’t good at all.
”As well as respiratory failure, he also has a renal failure due to the serious infection.
”We have to wait 24 hours but, due to his age, it’s complicated.
”The worst thing is not being alongside him.”
Spain has been one of the worst-hit countries by the coronavirus, with the total number of fatalities nearing 1,500.
There have been around 25,000 confirmed cases confirmed, with over 1,600 people in intensive care.
The sad news about Sanz comes on a day where other high-profile figures from football such as Juventus player Paulo Dybala and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini have tested positive for COVID-19.
So far in England the most well-known figures in the sport to have tested positive include Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.
