On November 17, 2006, one of the greatest footballers of all time died: Ferenc Puskás. The Hungarian was a superstar throughout his life, but the Germans, of all people, denied him the ultimate triumph.
July 4, 1954. Switzerland, Bern. The German national team miraculously reached the final of the World Cup. On the other side of the field are the highly favored Hungarians. In their midst was the star and the best footballer in the world at the time: Ferenc Puskás.
The then 27-year-old needed just 360 seconds to make it 1-0. However, 84 minutes later it is 2:3 and Germany wins. Helmut Rahn had shot from the much-quoted background and thus inflicted on Puskás his worst defeat. It was to be the only World Cup final for the “Hungarian Fox”.
Nevertheless, Puskás is undoubtedly one of the greats in his field. Being elected to the Fifa 100, being the only Hungarian player, being named World Player of the Year in 1953 and numerous other individual honors are evidence of an impressive career that began in 1943 in the service of Honvéd Budapest. Puskás played for the capital club for twelve years.
The year follows 1956. The Hungarians rise up against the Soviet occupying power and strive for national independence. The political leadership in Moscow cannot accept this. At the beginning of November, the Red Army put down the uprising in a bloody manner.
Congenial partner of Alfredo di Stefano in Madrid
Similar to Sándor Kocsis or Nándor Hidegkuti, Puskás also remains in the West. Now they are considered deserters. In addition, there is a two-year ban from FIFA, which blocked the striker for the time being. After the punishment is over, the attacker is overweight and completely out of shape. Nevertheless, Santiago Bernabéu Yeste, then Real president, decided to give the Hungarian a chance.
“When a good player has the ball, he always has three possible pass points in mind,” national team colleague Jenő Buzánszky once explained. Puskás saw at least five options at any given time. He did not disappoint expectations and even exceeded them. In the Spanish capital he played at a level of his own. But Puskás was not just a gifted goalscorer.
He also thrived in his role as leader. During his time with the Madrilenians he did not try to be the lead dancer of the white ballet. Instead, the Hungarian put his temper aside and subordinated everything to the team’s success.
In his first season, Puskás and local hero Alfredo di Stefano entered the final game of the season with the same number of goals. Towards the end of the game, the Hungarian had the opportunity to score himself, but decided to wait for di Stefano and cross the ball. He was aware of the problems that would have arisen if he, and not the Argentine, had ended the season as top scorer.
Comparisons with England star George Best
Outside the green, Puskás often showed less discipline. It is said that he never learned either Spanish or English. He only knew one word: “whisky”. Before he started at Real he had to lose almost 18kg. His hectic life away from leather ball earned him many comparisons to Irishman George Best.
But an Olympic gold medal, World Cup silver, five Hungarian championships, five Spanish league titles, a European Super Cup and four top scorers in the Spanish league paint the picture of a footballer whose achievements clearly outshine those of George Best. Ferenc Puskás will never be forgotten.
Source: www.sport.de
