Former Madrid defender Marquitos dies at 78

Real Madrid says former defender Marcos "Marquitos" Alonso Imaz, who helped the club win a record five straight European Cups, has died. He was 78.

Marquitos, who twice played for Spain, was a regular for Madrid as the Spanish powerhouse won Europe's top prize from 1956-60. Marquitos helped Madrid secure the 1960 Intercontinental Cup plus six Spanish league titles from 1954-62 after joining from Racing Santander.

Former Madrid teammate Alfredo di Stefano said in Wednesday's Marca newspaper that Marquitos "gave me such security that we felt protected ... you were like a wall."

Marquitos' grandson, Marcos Alonso, currently plays for English club Bolton.