[Excape Goat]

The same thread worked well in the history forum, but when I started this thread here many years ago, it went nowhere. Let's try it again.

Ferenc Puskas' real name was Ferenc Purczeld. I believed he was ethnic German. He was ten years old when his father, Ferenc Sr., changed the family name to Puskás.

Pele lost his virginity to a hooker. He said it in his autobiography.

Jay Heaps is the first "basketball" player in Duke basketball history who turned pro before his senior year. Of course, he did not turn into a professional basketball player.

Iran was the only Muslim country that was willing to play Israel when Israel was part of AFC.

[lanman]

Coloured boots are nothing new. Herbert Chapman was wearing yellow boots in the 1900s.

[sidis]

until 1958 brazil wears white.

marcelinho carioca, a brazilian player had their contract broked with an arab team after offer his victory goal to Jesus.

one "hinchada" argentina called himselves as "pele's brothers", after a win of Santos over their team they chant "pele's is a Only Child"

[Sagy]

Thanks for starting the thread. Great idea.

One correction

Originally Posted by Excape Goat

Iran was the only Muslim country that was willing to play Israel when Israel was part of AFC.

According to Elo, Israel (as a member of AFC) played Turkey twice in 1962 (they also played before and after Israel was a member of AFC), Indonesia in 1972 and Malaysia in 1973 and 1974.

[DJ Humma]

thanks for this post

[phil80]

Originally Posted by Excape Goat

The same thread worked well in the history forum, but when I started this thread here many years ago, it went nowhere. Let's try it again.

Ferenc Puskas' real name was Ferenc Purczeld. I believed he was ethnic German. He was ten years old when his father, Ferenc Sr., changed the family name to Puskás.

Pele lost his virginity to a hooker. He said it in his autobiography.

Jay Heaps is the first "basketball" player in Duke basketball history who turned pro before his senior year. Of course, he did not turn into a professional basketball player.

Iran was the only Muslim country that was willing to play Israel when Israel was part of AFC.

Regarding Pele, is it true he claimed it was a male hooker or was that just a rumor?

[zenden]

Garrincha lost his virginity to a goat.

[Cassano]

Christian Panucci was supposed to be on the fatal TWA plane crash but missed the flight.

Former Juventus defender Moreno Torricelli was working in a factory and played on an amateur team and faced Juventus in a pre-season friendly. He impressed Giovanni Trapattoni so much that he was signed the next day!

Arrigo Sacchi was a shoemaker before becoming a legendary manager.

[Excape Goat]

Originally Posted by Sagy

Thanks for starting the thread. Great idea.

One correction

According to Elo, Israel (as a member of AFC) played Turkey twice in 1962 (they also played before and after Israel was a member of AFC), Indonesia in 1972 and Malaysia in 1973 and 1974.

My mistake, but Iran was the only Middle Eastern AFC country that did not boycott Isreal. Of course, it was before the 1979.

[Dr. Know]

Before playing footy Julio Cruz worked as a gardener cutting the field grass and taking care of the pitch for Argentine club Banfield. One day the team was missing a player for practice and they asked him if he wanted to fill in. They were so impressed that they signed him on the spot.

That's how he got the nickname "El Jardinero" which translates to the gardener in English.