Real Madrid's honorary president and record goal scorer Alfredo Di Stefano has left the intensive care unit of a Valencia hospital following quadruple heart bypass surgery.

"The patient is continuing to improve and his kidneys are functioning almost normally," a hospital statement read.

"He has been transferred from the recovery unit to a normal hospital ward, although because he needs to rest visits to the patient will be restricted."

The 79-year-old former player underwent the surgery last week after suffering a heart attack on Christmas Eve.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the game, Di Stefano led Real Madrid to five consecutive European Cup triumphs between 1956 and 1960 and was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1957 and 1959.