Puskás, Ferenc (1927–2006)

Hungarian footballer. One of the world's greatest players, and a star of the outstanding Hungary team of the early 1950s, he scored 83 goals in 84 internationals between 1945 and 1956 before defecting to the West during the Hungarian Revolution. Joining Real Madrid in 1958, he went on to score 35 goals in 39 European Cup matches, including four in the 1960 final.

Career highlights

International appearances for Hungary (1945–56) 84 (83 goals)

International appearances for Spain (1961–62) 4

Olympic Games gold 1952

Hungarian League Championship 1950, 1952, 1954–55

Spanish League Championship 1961–65

European Cup 1959–60, 1966

Spanish Cup 1962

He was born in Budapest, and won his first international cap in 1945 at the age of 18. He soon emerged as one of the star players of an exceptional Hungary side, which in 1953 beat England 6–3 at Wembley, the first team from beyond the British Isles to defeat England on home soil. At Real Madrid he formed a celebrated striking partnership with Alfredo di Stefano, the highlight of which came in the 1960 European Cup final when they shared all the goals in the 7–3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. He won five Spanish League Championships with Real Madrid before retiring in 1966. Subsequently he enjoyed some success as a coach, notably with the Greek club Panathanaikos, whom he took to the 1971 European Cup final. He eventually returned to Hungary and for a time was caretaker manager of the national side.

The Népstadion (people's stadium) in Budapest was renamed Stadion Puskás Ferenc for him in 2002.