5+1 things you did not know about Ferenc Puskás! – PHOTOS
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Ferenc Puskás is probably the most famous Hungarian, being one of the first football stars in the history of the sport. He played and worked as a coach on four continents. His name is praised in many languages each day. But who was Ferenc Puskás, and how did he become one of the greatest football players ever? We collected 5+1 things about his life you have probably never heard about, and neither have most Hungarians. Provided you tell these stories to your Hungarian friends, free beer is granted.
1. We do not know when he was born exactly
In the case of legends, it is not rare that some details in their lives are not cleared. For example, we do not know where Lajos Kossuth, one of the greatest leaders of Hungary, was born. According to his biographies and the birth certificate, Puskás was born on 2 April 1927. However, the family says that the date was 1 April. What is sure is that he was born in Józsefváros, Budapest in a family of German descent. His father was born Purczeld and changed his name to Puskás only after Ferenc was born.
2. He was extremely temperamental
People often say that Hungarians are temperamental. In the case of Puskás, despite his German origins, this was particularly true. The Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ) banned him from playing in the national team in 1947 for an entire year. That was because he beat a Bulgarian footballer in Sofia. Furthermore, he refused to do what Béla Guttmann, the new coach of Budapest Honvéd, Puskás’s club, said to him. As a result, Mr Guttmann left the team weeks later. He scolded a linesman so harshly that the MLSZ did not allow him to play in the Hungarian Football League.
3. He had a good relationship with the Communists
After the Communists destroyed the young Hungarian democracy after WWII, they considered football as a source of legitimacy. Since the national team of Hungary was very successful, the members, coaches, staff became privileged in the regime. For example, they could bring Western products and sell them, which was a profitable business behind the Iron Curtain.
Moreover, Puskás was so famous that he could visit the dreaded communist Defense Minister, Mihály Farkas, any time. Though the generals had to schedule an appointment, Puskás only had to call the minister and he was always welcomed. Therefore, he could help his teammates and other athletes, he could even bring them out from jail. Pál Dániel Rényi, the author of Győzelmi kényszer, a book about PM Orbán’s relationship to football, said that Puskás had an instinct how to deal with white-collar leaders, or instruct his teammates on the football pitch. He was a born diplomat despite he finished only a couple of classes at school – György Szepesi, the famous football commentator of the era, told about him.
Hungarian Hero.
Loved and Adored.
There will never be – in Hungarian Football – a player as Gifted, Creative, Skilled – the ability to inspire and raise a team in its standards of personal and team performance – as Ferenc Puskas.
Magical blessed with natural ability – that in the football world – is a Rarity.
Hungary – don’t dwell of the SUPPOSED negatives of this National Hero.
Let us be PROUD – that Hungary – playing in a shirt of our Proud National Colours – produced without a shadow of DOUBT – if not judged by experts overall in number – the greatest footballer ever to play the game, but Ferenc Puskas – who would out-vote him, to be the Greatest of All time ???
May He Rest eternally in Peace – and AGAIN express APPRECIATION for the sheer joy – that he gave to millions of Hungarians.