Real Madrid legend Miguel Ángel Gonzalez dies aged 76

Real Madrid is mourning the passing of Miguel Ángel González, considered one of the great goalkeepers in Los Blancos' history.

Real announced the sad news on its website: "Real Madrid C. F., the club's President and its Board of Directors are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Miguel Ángel González, one of the greatest goalkeepers in our history, a Real Madrid and Spanish football legend."

From 1968 to 1986, Miguel Ángel, nicknamed 'El Gato', played for Real Madrid and amassed an impressive list of honours during those years.

"He won 2 UEFA Cups, 8 Spanish League titles, 5 Spanish Cups and 1 Spanish League Cup. He also won the Zamora Trophy in the 1975-1976 season," Real recalls on its website.

Miguel Ángel was also a respected Spanish international, who played 18 games for his country, according to Transfermarkt statistics.

He was also part of the Spanish national team that competed in the 1978 and 1982 World Cups, the latter held in Spain.

After his career, he remained active within Real Madrid, taking on several roles, such as "as first team delegate, goalkeeping coach and director of the former Real Madrid Sports Complex," as the club explains on its website.

The Spanish football world is in shock at the death of Miguel Ángel, and the sports press mourns the loss of a great goalkeeper.

"Miguel Ángel, legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper, dies", headlined the Spanish sports newspaper Marca.

Current and former football stars have expressed their condolences after the passing of Miguel Ángel. "A legend and an example for all madridistas. Rest in peace, goalkeeper," Thibaut Courtois, Real's current number one goalie, wrote on X.

Iker Casillas, too, has reacted. "Today is a very sad day for the Real Madrid family", the Spaniard wrote on X. "We have lost "el Gato" Miguel Ángel. A role model for all of us who have worn that shirt and defended that goal. My deepest condolences to all of his family. RIP."

"RIP, Miguel Ángel," wrote Raúl González Blanco, another Real Madrid legend, on X.

Miguel Ángel was suffering from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), as per Marca. He was 76.