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Report User Ecuadorean soccer star Alberto Spencer dies following heart surgery in U.S. 
The Associated Press
Published: November 3, 2006
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay: Ecuadorean soccer great Alberto Spencer, the all-time leading scorer in the Americas' most prestigious club tournament, died on Friday in a U.S. clinic where he had undergone heart surgery, his son said. He was 67.
Considered Ecuador's greatest soccer player, Spencer was also idolized in Uruguay, where he led Penarol to eight national titles and three South American championships during its golden era in the 1960s.
During 12 years with the team, he found the back of the net 326 times, including 48 in South America's Libertadores Cup. He scored six more goals in the competition playing for Ecuador's Barcelona squad, setting a tournament record of 54 goals that stands today.
Spencer, who had suffered from a heart disease since the late 1970s, underwent quadruple bypass surgery Oct. 10 in a clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. His son, who shares the same name, said Spencer had appeared to be recuperating but was attacked by an intestinal infection and transferred to intensive care.
"My father passed away this morning," Spencer's son told The Associated Press Friday in Montevideo, Uruguay. "He lost the match, but because of the nature of his situation, it was expected."
Born Dec. 6, 1938, in Ancon, Ecuador, to a Jamaican father and an Ecuadorean mother, Spencer got his start with Everest in Guayaquil and in 1960 signed with Penarol of Uruguay, where his catlike moves, speed and power made him a national icon.
Led by Spencer and Peruvian Juan Joya, Penarol defeated European powers Benfica in 1961 and Real Madrid in 1966 to take the Intercontinental Cup.
Spencer was one of the few players to represent two different national squads, playing for both Ecuador and Uruguay. In 1964 he was part of the Uruguayan side that defeated England in London's Wembley Stadium.
He retired in 1973 and returned to Montevideo, where he represented Ecuador as a diplomat from 1982 until his death.
Ecuadorean officials said Friday that President Alfredo Palacio was prepared to send an air force plane to Cleveland to transport his remains.
Spencer is survived by his wife Maria Teresa and his children Alberto, Walter and Jacqueline.
