Former Real president Sanz dies after contracting coronavirus
Former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz, who was hospitalised with coronavirus, died on Saturday at the age of 76, his son announced.
Sanz was in charge of the Spanish giants from 1995-2000, overseeing two Champions League titles.
"My father passed away. He did not deserve this ending and in this way," tweeted son Lorenzo Sanz jr. "One of the best, bravest and hardest-working people I have ever seen. His family and Real Madrid were his passions."
Three days ago, Sanz Jr. said that his father had been admitted to a Madrid hospital after suffering the symptoms of the coronavirus which has killed more than 1,320 people in Spain.
With Jupp Heynckes as coach and star players such as Davor Suker, Roberto Carlos, Clarence Seedorf, Fernando Hierro and Raul, Real won the Champions League in 1998 by beating Juventus in the final under Sanz's supervision.
It was their seventh European Cup but first in 32 years and the only goal in the final being scored by Predrag Mijatovic, who described yesterday as "one of the saddest nights" of his life.
"Leaving like this, without being able to say farewell, without being able to say a final goodbye, is very hard, very sad," Mijatovic said via Marca. "It's one of the saddest nights of my life.
"The sadness at not being able to go to visit him because of the contagiousness that is always there is very cruel. I still can't believe it. I considered him as a father. I had so much love for him. In life, there are people that leave a mark on you and Lorenzo was one of them."
Two years later, in Paris, Real claimed an eighth by beating Valencia in the final. However, that same year, Sanz was ousted as president by Florentino Perez, who opened a new era at the club, adding five more Champions Leagues in two decades.
Current captain Sergio Ramos said: "Very sad day for Real Madrid. Lorenzo Sanz connected yesterday and today with two numbers for history -- 7 and 8," tweeted Ramos in reference to the key Champions League titles.
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