The galloping Major has passed. One of the true legends of the game. A main cog of probably the best club team of all time. Would have won a world cup if not for a stunning west german comeback in switzerland 54. Sadly, 50 years later, the Hungarians have yet to recover. He actually suited for Spain when they played Mexico in Chile 62. If you get a chance to watch his hilites, make the time. He was a genius.
In 1947, Ferencvaros Torna Klub came to play some exhibition matches against some of our teams. In that line up, a rookie by the name of Ferenc Puskas along with some of their best (Henni, Kispeter, Meszaros, etc) Veracruz 3-2 Ferencvaros Torka Klub Moctezuma 1-5 Ferencvaros Torka Klub Guadalajara 2-1 Ferencvaros Torka Klub Atlante 2-3 Ferencvaros Torka Klub Combinado Tapatio (Atlas & Guadalajara) 4-6 Ferencvaros Torka Klub Combinado Mexicano 3-4 Ferencvaros Torka Klub In that trip, a young Puskas was so impressed with Mexico that he did not want to go back to Hungary, and so he hid. The Hungarian Embassy intervened and sent him along with the team.
Ferenc Puskas, 79, International Soccer Star, Dies - N.Y. Times obituary Hungarian soccer star Ferenc Puskas scored 83 goals in 84 international games from 1946 to 1956, and he scored 324 goals in 372 games from 1958 to 1967 with Real Madrid.
A great figure in world football, not just important in Hungary and Spain, also a massive influence on English football - his team coming and beating England in Wembley in 1953 began the slow and overdue process of English football shaking off the complacent arrogance that we suffered under (and some might say still do!) Puskas and Billy Wright Nov 1953 - England 3 Hungary 6, the first loss at Wembley for England. "Look at that little stocky fella - we'll murder them" RIP
the peoplesgame website had a section on Wembley (famous matches, dramatic wins, etc) and the goal he scored in Wembley was fantastic. He juked the defender and the keeper and his celebration was awsome.
Great video, thanks.... interesting they make the link of Alf Ramsey, and how he helped England understand that there was a world out there that knew football, and had to be beaten... which eventually we did in 1966 - but that victory led to many years of arrogance once again.......