Puskás was born 98 years ago: the legendary Hungarian who changed football forever
Change language:
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.