Puskás was born 98 years ago: the legendary Hungarian who changed football forever
Ferenc Puskás, born on April 1, 1927, in Budapest, Hungary, is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers in history. Known as the “Galloping Major,” Puskás was a prolific goal scorer and a charismatic leader whose career spanned decades of brilliance. Today, on what would have been his 99th birthday, we celebrate his extraordinary legacy.
Early Life and Career in Hungary
Born Ferenc Purczeld, Puskás grew up in Kispest, a suburb of Budapest. His father, a former footballer and coach, played a significant role in shaping his career. In 1937, the family adopted the surname “Puskás,” and Ferenc began playing for Kispest Honvéd at just 12 years old under the pseudonym “Miklós Kovács” to bypass age restrictions.
Puskás made his senior debut in 1943 and quickly established himself as a scoring sensation, MLSZ said. By the late 1940s, Kispest had transformed into Budapest Honvéd under the Hungarian Ministry of Defense, and Puskás earned the rank of major—hence his famous nickname. During his time with Honvéd, he won five Hungarian league titles and was the league’s top scorer four times. In the 1947–48 season alone, he scored an astonishing 50 goals.
The Mighty Magyars
Puskás became a cornerstone of Hungary’s national team during its golden era in the 1950s. Known internationally as the “Mighty Magyars” or locally as Aranycsapat (“Golden Team”), this squad was revered for its dominance. Puskás debuted for Hungary in 1945 and scored an incredible 84 goals in just 85 matches—a record that remains one of the highest scoring ratios in international football.
The team achieved remarkable feats, including winning gold at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952 and defeating England 6–3 at Wembley Stadium in the “Match of the Century” in 1953. Despite their brilliance, Hungary fell short in the 1954 FIFA World Cup final, losing to West Germany in a dramatic upset.
Real Madrid: A Second Chapter
Following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Puskás chose not to return to Hungary and faced a two-year ban from UEFA competitions. However, his career rebounded spectacularly when he joined Real Madrid in 1958 at the age of 31.
At Real Madrid, Puskás became an integral part of one of football’s most successful eras. He won three European Cups (1959, 1960, and 1966), five consecutive La Liga titles (1961–1965), and numerous individual honors. His scoring prowess was unmatched; he netted seven goals across two European Cup finals and won four Pichichi awards as La Liga’s top scorer.
Coaching Career
After retiring from playing in 1966, Puskás embarked on a global coaching journey that spanned continents. His most notable achievement came with Panathinaikos in Greece, leading them to the European Cup final in 1971 and securing two domestic league titles. He also managed clubs and national teams across countries like Spain, Australia, Chile, Paraguay, Egypt, and Hungary.
Legacy
Ferenc Puskás left an indelible mark on football history. Scoring over 800 goals across official matches during his career, he was named by IFFHS as the greatest top division scorer of the 20th century. His sportsmanship and leadership inspired generations.
In 2002, Hungary’s national stadium was renamed Puskás Arena in his honor in recognition of his contributions. FIFA also commemorated him by naming its annual award for the best goal after him—the FIFA Puskás Award.
Ferenc Puskás passed away on November 17, 2006, but his legacy continues to shine brightly. As we celebrate what would have been his 98th birthday today, we remember not only his incredible achievements but also his enduring impact on football worldwide.
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