Ferenc Puskás#Brief Overview

File:Ferenc Puskas and Ger Lagendijk 1968.jpg, manager and player of the Vancouver Royals, February 1968]]

Ferenc Purczeld was born on 1 April 1927{{Cite web |url=http://www.puskas.com/hu/aktualis/104-puskas_szuletesnapja.html |title=Puskás születésnapja |access-date=8 January 2021 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023234235/http://www.puskas.com/hu/aktualis/104-puskas_szuletesnapja.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.nsport.hu/cikk.php?cikk=127775 |title=Nemzeti Sport Online - Isten futballistának teremtette |access-date=24 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714170916/http://www.nsport.hu/cikk.php?cikk=127775 |archive-date=14 July 2007}} to a German (Danube Swabian) family in Budapest and brought up in Kispest, then a suburb, today part of the city. His mother, Margit Biró (1904–1976), was a seamstress. He began his career as a junior with Kispest Honvéd, where his father, who had previously played for the club, was a coach.

In 1937, his father changed the family name to Puskás. He initially used the pseudonym "Miklós Kovács" to help circumvent the minimum age rules{{cite web|title=Puskás, Hungary's greatest|publisher=UEFA|url=http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/Kind=2/newsId=479442.html|access-date=27 November 2006|archive-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016071518/http://www.uefa.com/footballeurope/news/Kind%3D2/newsId%3D479442.html|url-status=dead}} before officially signing at the age of 12. Among his early teammates was his childhood friend and future international teammate József Bozsik. He made his first senior appearance for Kispest in November 1943 in a match against NAC.{{cite news|title=Obituary: Ferenc Puskas|work=The Guardian|url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1950662,00.html|access-date=27 November 2006|location=London|first=Brian|last=Glanville|date=17 November 2006|archive-date=8 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408155840/http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1950662,00.html|url-status=live}} It was here where he received the nickname "Öcsi" or "Buddy".[http://www.kulker-online.eu/content/view/1009 Külker Online – Hall of fame No.2: Puskás Ferenc] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008021912/http://www.kulker-online.eu/content/view/1009 |date=8 October 2011 }}

On 19 February 1949, Puskás scored seven goals for Kispest in a 11–3 win against Győr.{{cite news|title=Kispesti AC - Győri Vasas ETO 11 : 3|work=Magyar Futball|url=https://www.magyarfutball.hu/hu/merkozes/38590|access-date=31 July 2023|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002221540/https://www.magyarfutball.hu/hu/merkozes/38590|url-status=live}} Kispest was taken over by the Hungarian Ministry of Defence in 1949, becoming the Hungarian Army team and changing its name to Budapest Honvéd. As a result, football players were given military ranks. Puskás eventually became a major (Hungarian: Őrnagy), which led to the nickname "The Galloping Major".{{cite web|title=Soccer Great Puskas dead at 79|work=TSN|url=https://www.tsn.ca/story/?id=184708|access-date=10 December 2006}}{{Dead link|date=January 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} As the army club, Honvéd used conscription to acquire the best Hungarian players leading to the recruitment of Zoltán Czibor and Sándor Kocsis.{{cite web|title=Hall of Fame, Ferenc Puskas|work=IFHOF|url=http://www.ifhof.com/hof/puskas.asp|access-date=10 December 2006|archive-date=10 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210054253/http://www.ifhof.com/hof/puskas.asp|url-status=live}} During his career at Budapest Honvéd, Puskás helped the club win five Hungarian League titles. He also finished as top goal scorer in the league in 1947–48, 1949–50, 1950 and 1953, scoring 50, 31, 25 and 27 goals, respectively. In 1948, he was the top goal scorer in Europe.{{cite news|title=A Tribute To...Ferenc Puskas|work=Bleacher Report|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/63194-a-tribute-to-ferenc-puskas|location=USA|first=Barney|last=Corkhill|date=29 September 2008|access-date=27 August 2011|archive-date=1 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101043005/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/63194-a-tribute-to-ferenc-puskas|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Golden Team}}

File:Golden Team 1953.jpg, Ferenc Puskás, Gyula Grosics
back row: Gyula Lóránt, Jenő Buzánszky, Nándor Hidegkuti, Sándor Kocsis, József Zakariás, Zoltán Czibor, József Bozsik, László Budai}}]]

Puskás made his debut for Hungary team on 20 August 1945 and scored in a 5–2 win over Austria.{{cite news|title=Ferenc Puskas|work=The Times|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2458262,00.html|access-date=10 December 2006|location=London|date=17 November 2006|first1=Patrick|last1=Hosking|first2=David|last2=Wighton|archive-date=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529194054/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/|url-status=dead}} He went on to play 85 games and scored 84 times for Hungary. His international goal record included two hat tricks against Austria, one against Luxembourg and four goals in a 12–0 win over Albania.{{cite web|title=Ferenc Puskás — Goals in International matches|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/puskas-intlg.html|access-date=10 December 2006|archive-date=19 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019164529/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/puskas-intlg.html|url-status=live}} Together with Zoltán Czibor, Sándor Kocsis, József Bozsik, and Nándor Hidegkuti, he formed the nucleus of the Golden Team that was to remain unbeaten for 32 consecutive games.{{cite web |title=Galloping Major gave us finest hour at Hampden |work=The Scotsman |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/football_international.cfm?id=1709652006 |access-date=10 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016044735/http://sport.scotsman.com/football_international.cfm?id=1709652006 |archive-date=16 October 2007}} During this run, they became Olympic Champions in 1952, beating Yugoslavia 2–0 in the final in Helsinki. Puskás scored four times at the Olympic tournament, including the opening goal in the final. They also defeated England twice, first with a 6–3 win at Wembley Stadium, and then 7–1 in Budapest. Puskás scored two goals in each game against England. In 1953, they also won the 1948-53 Central European International Cup. Hungary won the championship after finishing top of the table with 11 points. Puskás finished the tournament as top scorer with ten goals and scored twice as Hungary claimed the trophy with a 3–0 win over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in 1953.{{cite web |url=http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article1993614.ece|title=Ferenc Puskás |work=The Independent|publisher=20. November 2006.|access-date=1 October 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001001758/http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article1993614.ece|archive-date=1 October 2007|url-status=dead}}.

Puskás scored three goals in the two first-round matches Hungary played at the 1954 FIFA World Cup. They defeated South Korea 9–0 and then West Germany 8–3. In the latter game, he suffered a hairline fracture of the ankle after a tackle by Werner Liebrich, and did not return until the final.{{cite web |url=http://www.ifhof.com/hof/puskas.asp |title=FERENC PUSKAS – International Football Hall of Fame |publisher=Ifhof.com |date=2 April 1927 |access-date=2 March 2012 |archive-date=1 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601223413/http://www.ifhof.com/hof/puskas.asp |url-status=live }}

Puskás played the entire 1954 World Cup final against West Germany with a hairline fracture. Despite this, he scored his fourth goal of the tournament to put Hungary ahead after six minutes, and with Czibor adding another goal two minutes later, it seemed that the pre-tournament favorites would take the title. However, the West Germans pulled back two goals before half time, with six minutes left the West Germans scored the winner. Two minutes from the end of the match Puskás scored a late equalizer but the goal was disallowed due to an offside call.The World Cup: The Complete History by Terry Crouch. 2006. Ending the Golden years with a silver medal at the 1955-60 Central European International Cup, making it a grand total of two gold/titles and two silver for the Mighty Magyars.

The scores contain links to the article on football in the Helsinki Olympics and the round in question.{{cite web |url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/25748 |title=Ferenc Puskás |work=Olympedia |access-date=5 November 2021 |archive-date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021201543/https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/25748 |url-status=live }}

The scores contain links to the article on 1954 FIFA World Cup and the round in question. When there is a special article on the match in question, the link is in the column for round.

File:Puskas Hidegkuti 1954.png and Ferenc Puskás in 1954]]

Budapest Honvéd entered the European Cup in 1956 and were drawn against Athletic Bilbao in the first round. Honvéd lost the away leg 2–3, but before the home leg could be played, the Hungarian Revolution erupted in Budapest and was subsequently brutally repressed by Soviet forces. The players decided against going back to communist Hungary and arranged for the return with Athletic to be played at Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium. Puskás scored in the subsequent 3–3 draw, his first European Cup goal ever, but Honvéd were eliminated 6–5 on aggregate, and the Hungarian players were left in limbo. They summonedPeter Kasza: [https://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/die-welt-im-linken-bein/776188.html Die Welt im linken Bein.] In: Tagesspiegel vom 18. November 2006. their families from Budapest, and despite opposition from FIFA and the Hungarian football authorities, they organised a fundraising tour of Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Brazil. After returning to Europe, the players parted ways. Some, including Bozsik, returned to Hungary while others, including Czibor, Kocsis and Puskás, found new clubs in Western Europe.Behind the Curtain: Football in Eastern Europe by Jonathan Wilson. 2006. Puskás did not return to Hungary until 1981.

File:DiStefanoPuskas.jpg]]

File:Ferenc Puskas player licence.jpg]]

After refusing to return to Hungary, Puskás initially played a few unofficial games for Espanyol.{{cite web|access-date=21 December 2016|editor=Portal digital BDFutbol|title=Primera División 1958-59|url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/es/t/t1958-59.html|archive-date=14 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614043059/http://www.bdfutbol.com/es/t/t1958-59.html|url-status=live}} At the same time, both AC Milan and Juventus attempted to sign him, but then he received a two-year ban from UEFA for refusing to return to Budapest,{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=591759&cc=5901|title=Puskas, the Galloping Major|work=ESPNFC.com|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=21 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021224131/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=591759&cc=5901|url-status=dead}} which prevented him from playing in Europe. He moved to Austria and then Italy. After his ban expired, Puskás tried to play in Italy but was not able to find a top-flight club willing to sign him, as Italian managers were concerned about his age and weight. He was considered by Manchester United to strengthen a squad ravaged by the Munich air disaster in 1958, but because of FA rules regarding foreigners and Puskás' not knowing the English language, stand-in manager Jimmy Murphy could not fulfill his wish of signing the Hungarian. However, a few months later, Puskás joined Real Madrid and at the age of 31 embarked on the second phase of his career.{{cite web|access-date=16 April 2022|language=fr|title=Puskas {{!}} Real Madrid CF|url=https://www.realmadrid.com/fr/a-propos-du-real-madrid/club/histoire/joueurs-de-legende-football/ferenc-puskas-biro|website=Real Madrid C.F. - Web Oficial}}

During his first La Liga season, Puskás scored four hat-tricks, including one in his second game, against Sporting de Gijón on 21 September 1958. In the game against Las Palmas on 4 January 1959, Puskás and Alfredo di Stéfano scored hat-tricks in a 10–1 win.{{cite web|url=http://www.lfp.es/|title=Página web oficial de LaLiga|work=Liga de Fútbol Profesional|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=13 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113205641/http://www.lfp.es/|url-status=live}} During the 1960–61 season, Puskás scored four times in a game against Elche and the following season, he scored five goals against the same team. Puskás scored two hat-tricks against Barcelona in 1963, one at the Bernabéu and one at the Camp Nou. During eight seasons with Real, Puskás played 180 La Liga games and scored 156 goals. He scored 20 or more goals in each of his first six seasons in the Spanish league, and won the Pichichi four times: in 1960, 1961, 1963, and 1964, scoring 25, 28, 26 and 21 goals, respectively. He helped Real win La Liga five times in a row between 1961 and 1965 and the Copa del Generalísimo in 1962. He scored both goals in the 2–1 victory over Sevilla in the Copa final.

Puskás also played a further 39 games for Real in the European Cup, scoring 35 goals. He helped Real reach the final of the 1958–59 European Cup, scoring in the first leg and in the decisive replay of the semi-final against Atlético Madrid, but missed the final due to injury. In the following season he began Real's 1959–60 European Cup campaign with a hat-trick against Jeunesse Esch and in the semi-final against FC Barcelona, as Puskás once again guided Real into the final with three goals over two legs. In the final itself, Real beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7–3 with Puskás scoring four goals{{cite news|title=Ferenc Puskas, 79, International Soccer Star, Dies|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/18/sports/soccer/18puskas.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|access-date=8 March 2008|first=Jack|last=Bell|date=18 November 2006|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325073518/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/18/sports/soccer/18puskas.html?_r=1&oref=slogin|url-status=live}} and di Stéfano scoring three. In subsequent European campaigns, he would score a further three hat-tricks, including one in the 1962 final against Benfica, which Real lost 5–3. In 1965, he scored five goals over two games against Feyenoord as he helped Real Madrid to the 1966 European Cup final – Real won the game against Partizan Belgrade, but Puskás did not play.

In 1962, Puskás became a naturalized Spanish citizen,{{cite news|title=Ferenc Puskas dies aged 79|work=The Guardian|url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1950418,00.html|access-date=27 November 2006|location=London|date=17 November 2006|archive-date=16 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016081037/http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1950418,00.html|url-status=live}} and subsequently played four times for Spain. Three of these games were at the 1962 World Cup. In Spain, he was known as Cañoncito Pum (the booming cannon).{{cite magazine|magazine=World Soccer|title=Magical Major|pages=6–9|date=January 2007|last=Radnege|first=Keir}} On 28 October 1963, Puskás appeared in a game for the Madrid football team at the FFM Trofeo Bodas de Oro, and he scored two late goals in a 4–0 win over Andalusia.{{cite news | url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1963/10/29/055.html | title=ABC MADRID 29-10-1963 página 55 - Archivo ABC | website=www.abc.es | date=29 October 1963 | accessdate=7 June 2022 | archive-date=11 April 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411231305/http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1963/10/29/055.html | url-status=live }} In 1967, at the age of 40, he appeared in a fundraising friendly game for South Liverpool, the English non-League side, in front of a 10,000-strong sell-out crowd at the club's Holly Park stadium.{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/19/seven-deadly-sins-football-heavenly-virtues-kind | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Tim | last=Rich | title=The heavenly virtues: 10 kind footballers | date=19 May 2009 | access-date=11 December 2016 | archive-date=5 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305013448/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/19/seven-deadly-sins-football-heavenly-virtues-kind | url-status=live }}

File:Puskás statue in Óbuda-1.jpg inspired by a photograph taken in Madrid in which the legendary player was teaching an ad hoc course in keepie uppie to street children]]

After retiring as a player, Puskás became a coach and managed teams in Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia.

In 1971, he guided Panathinaikos of Greece to the European Cup final. This was the first time a Greek club has reached a European final, and this would remain the only time for more than half a century, until Olympiakos reached the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League in 2024. En route to the final, Panathinaikos beat Everton in the quarter-finals on away goals, then defeated Red Star Belgrade in the semis, to become the only amateur football team to reach the European Cup/Champions League final. In the final, Panathinaikos lost 2–0 to Johan Cruyff's Ajax.50 Years of the European Cup and Champions League by Keir Radnedge. 2005.

During his four-year tenure at Panathinaikos, Puskás helped the team secure one Greek Championship in 1972. At Panathinaikos he retained the "Pancho" nickname from Spain and is considered Panathinaikos' greatest ever manager, in the same esteem with his predecessor Stjepan Bobek and has entered the Greek football pantheon after Panathinaikos' run to the Wembley Final. A few months after leaving Panathinaikos in 1974, he took over Real Murcia, placed last in La Liga when he was appointed in December, failing to save the club from relegation in his only season in charge, while the following year he coached Saudi Arabia and in the same year he also managed Colo-Colo, where he spent two years, without experiencing notable success.{{cite web|url=https://as.com/futbol/2006/11/17/mas_futbol/1163718002_850215.amp.html|title=Coronel Puskas, el zurdo de Oro|date=17 November 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226151125/https://as.com/futbol/2006/11/17/mas_futbol/1163718002_850215.amp.html|archivedate=26 February 2022|language=es}}

In the summer of 1978 he returned to Greece as coach of AEK Athens, where he was reunited with his former player at Panathinaikos, Mimis Domazos. Puskás led the club to its biggest ever victory in the European Cup, a 6–1 defeat of Portuguese champions Porto in Athens, before their continental run was cut short in the second round by eventual competition winners Nottingham Forest 7–2 on aggregate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sport24.gr/sthles/ferents-poyskas-o-kalpazon-syntagmatarchis.8431528.amp.html?|title=Φέρεντς Πούσκας: Ο καλπάζων συνταγματάρχης|date=17 November 2016|website=sport24.gr|location=Online|language=el}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gazzetta.gr/planetfootball/article/900298/ferents-poyskas-o-profitis-tis-teleiotitas|title=Φέρεντς Πούσκας: ο προφήτης της τελειότητας|archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20231029231805/https://www.gazzetta.gr/planetfootball/article/900298/ferents-poyskas-o-profitis-tis-teleiotitas|archivedate=29 October 2023|location=Online|language=el}} However, in March 1979 the club's management, fearing the eventual loss of the league, replaced him with his assistant, Andreas Stamatiadis, on an interim role for the final 11 games until the end of the season, due to the unstable performances of the team, which saw them drop to third place in the league table.{{Cite web|url=https://www.enwsi.gr/1486279/retro-aek/i-kinisi-poy-efere-to-protathlima-to-telos-toy-poyskas-apo-tin-aek-video.html|title=Η κίνηση που έφερε το πρωτάθλημα, το τέλος του Πούσκας από την ΑΕΚ!|first=Σταύρος|last=Καζαντζόγλου|date=11 March 2024|website=enwsi.gr|location=Online|language=el}} The club of Athens eventually won the championship with Stamatiadis in charge in a play–off match that was never contested, as rivals Olympiacos refused to play.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sansimera.gr/biographies/246|title=Φέρεντς Πούσκας: Ο "καλπάζων συνταγματάρχης" του ΠΑΟ|website=sansimera.gr|location=Online|language=el|access-date=17 March 2024|archive-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224020306/https://www.sansimera.gr/biographies/246|url-status=live}}

Despite his wide travels, his only other silverware came with Sol de América, where he led the club to its first ever league title in 1986, and South Melbourne Hellas, with whom he won the National Soccer League title in 1991, as well as the NSL Cup in 1990, the NSL League Cup in 1990 and two Dockerty Cup titles in 1989 and 1991, becoming the club's most successful manager.{{cite web |last1=Francis |first1=Kieran |title='Disgraceful' - Football fans call for ignored Ferenc Puskas statue to be relocated in Melbourne |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/disgraceful-football-fans-call-for-ignored-ferenc-puskas-statue-to-be-relocated-in-melbourne/15chkpsjogui81oki8qa82dlpn |website=The Sporting News |date=27 January 2021 |access-date=15 May 2022 |archive-date=15 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515120234/https://www.sportingnews.com/au/football/news/disgraceful-football-fans-call-for-ignored-ferenc-puskas-statue-to-be-relocated-in-melbourne/15chkpsjogui81oki8qa82dlpn |url-status=live }} While managing the Australian club, one of his players was future South Melbourne, Australia and Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou, who has spoken of the influence Puskás' all out attacking approach and tactical acumen had on his coaching style.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPH89zMxp6Q|title=Ange Postecoglou interview November 2021|website=YouTube|date=22 November 2021 |access-date=20 December 2021|archive-date=20 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220191634/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPH89zMxp6Q&gl=US&hl=en|url-status=live}}

When Wolverhampton Wanderers opened their renovated stadium Molineux in 1993, Puskás visited the newly opened stadium as an honorary guest to watch the friendly match between Wolves and Budapest Honvéd, which was a match to christen the new opening of the stadium. This was because in the 1950s, Wolves played a game against Honvéd in a memorable friendly match, which Puskás played in. Wolves won the 1954 match 3–2, with the 1993 match ending in a 1–1 draw.{{cite news|access-date=28 November 2020|date=17 July 1981|title=Ferenc Puskás nach 25 Jahren wieder in Budapest: ein Besuch, aber kerne Heinikehr: Ein alter Herr vor den Toren|newspaper=Die Zeit |url=https://www.zeit.de/1981/30/ein-alter-herr-vor-den-toren}}

Puskás returned to Hungary for the first time in 1981 and in 1990, he made Budapest his home again. In 1993, he took charge of the Hungary national team for four games, including a 4–2 friendly victory against the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, where Hungary came from two goals down to eventually beat their opponents.{{cite web|url=http://www.eu-football.info/_match.php?id=433|title=Rep. of Ireland* v Hungary national team, 29 May 1993|access-date=27 February 2016|archive-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105031857/http://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=433|url-status=live}}

File:Statue of Ferenc Puskás in Gosch's Paddock -- April 2025.jpg

Puskas had excellent ball control, mostly with his left foot, and had a great first touch of the ball giving very quick and precise passing and crossing. He was also able to maneuver and change positions quickly on the pitch by moving from inside left to centre forward. He was also able to dummy his opponents with fake dribbles and would confuse his markers by pretending to go one way before going another. He did this to Bill Eckersley and Harry Johnston when Hungary beat England 6–3 at Wembley. Puskas also used to move the ball in different directions and sideways to go past his opponents with ease. Puskas was also excellent at set pieces, often scoring powerful direct free-kicks. He also scored directly from a corner kick. Puskas had one of the most powerful left footed shots in history and often scored from 30 to 35 metres from goal.

File:Puskás Ferenc sírja.jpg in Budapest]]

Puskás was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6155766.stm|title=Hungary legend Puskas dies at 79|publisher=BBC|date=17 November 2006|access-date=17 November 2006|archive-date=27 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127050711/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6155766.stm|url-status=live}} He was admitted to a Budapest hospital in September 2006{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5343726.stm|title=Puskas 'taken to intensive care'|publisher=BBC|date=13 September 2006|access-date=13 September 2006|archive-date=29 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529194054/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5343726.stm|url-status=live}} and died on 17 November 2006 of pneumonia. He was 79 years old and was survived by his wife of 57 years, Erzsébet,{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/18/db1801.xml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016064140/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/18/db1801.xml|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 October 2007|title=Ferenc Puskas|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=18 November 2003|location=London|access-date=2 May 2010}} and their daughter, Anikó.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-puskas18nov18,1,2453964.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california&ctrack=1&cset=true|title=Ferenc Puskas, 79; Hungarian was one of soccer's all-time greats|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=18 November 2003|first=Grahame L.|last=Jones|access-date=2 May 2010}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} In a state funeral, his coffin was moved from Puskás Ferenc Stadion to Heroes' Square for a military salute. He was buried under the dome of St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest on 9 December 2006.{{cite news|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6164159.stm|title =Hungary salutes footballer Puskas|date =9 December 2006|accessdate =22 March 2021|archive-date =26 January 2021|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20210126171100/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6164159.stm|url-status =live}}{{cite web|url =https://www.goal.com/en/news/who-is-the-fifa-puskas-award-named-after-the-real-madrid-hungary-/4ciltz7htmiv16d4pwj2g9bt0|title =Who is the FIFA Puskas Award named after? The Real Madrid & Hungary football legend |accessdate =23 September 2023 |archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20230923180824/https://www.goal.com/en/news/who-is-the-fifa-puskas-award-named-after-the-real-madrid-hungary-/4ciltz7htmiv16d4pwj2g9bt0|archivedate =23 September 2023}}

Source:{{cite web|title=Ferenc Puskás – ARFTS Player Profile|url=http://arfts.com/paginas/profile/players/fpuskas|access-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053854/http://arfts.com/paginas/profile/players/fpuskas|archive-date=22 December 2017|url-status=usurped}}

{{notelist}}

{{main|List of international goals scored by Ferenc Puskás}}

Appearances and goals by national team and year[https://web.archive.org/web/20150910061201/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=174886/profile.html The Galloping Major]. FIFA.com{{NFT player|id=21029|name=Ferenc Puskás}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/puskas-intlg.html|title=Ferenc Puskás – Goals in International matches|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|access-date=2 February 2023|archive-date=19 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019164529/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/puskas-intlg.html|url-status=live}}

Budapest Honvéd

• Nemzeti Bajnokság I: 1949–50, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65
• Copa del Generalísimo: 1961–62
• European Cup: 1958–59, 1959–60, 1965–66
• Intercontinental Cup: 1960

Hungary

• Summer Olympics: 1952
• Central European International Cup: 1948–53; runner-up: 1955–60
• Balkan Cup: 1947
• FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1954

Individual

• Ballon d'Or Silver Award: 1960{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html |title=European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=9 October 2008 |access-date=5 December 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116080615/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/europa-poy.html |archive-date=16 January 2009}}
• Hungarian Football Federation Player of the Year: 1950{{cite web|access-date=24 September 2015|title=Hungarian football players of the Year|url=http://www.sporcle.com/games/NahuOost/hungarian-football-player-of-the-year|archive-date=25 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925092415/http://www.sporcle.com/games/NahuOost/hungarian-football-player-of-the-year|url-status=live}}
• Central European International Cup top scorer: 1948-53
• Hungarian top scorer: 1947–48, 1949–50, 1950, 1953
• Spanish League top scorer (Pichichi Trophy): 1959–60, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64
• European Cup top scorer : 1959–60, 1963–64
• Golden Boot of the World: 1948
• World Soccer World XI: 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963[http://beyondthelastman.com/2013/04/29/eric-battys-world-xis-the-sixties/ "ERIC BATTY's WORLD XI – THE SIXTIES"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116024135/https://beyondthelastman.com/2013/04/29/eric-battys-world-xis-the-sixties/ |date=16 January 2018 }} Retrieved on 26 November 2015
• 1954 FIFA World Cup: Golden Ball
• 1954 FIFA World Cup: All-Star Team
• European Player of the 20th century – L'Equipe
• Hungarian Player of the 20th century – IFFHS{{Cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html |title=IFFHS' Century Elections |access-date=2 February 2023 |archive-date=3 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303065744/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/iffhs-century.html |url-status=live }}
• Football's Top Scorer of the 20th century – IFFHS
• Member of the FIFA 100
• UEFA Golden Player: Greatest Hungarian Footballer of the last 50 Years
• Inaugural Inductee into Goal Hall of Fame 2014
• Top 10 Greatest Players of the 20th century (#7) – World Soccer Magazine
• Top 10 World's Best Players of the 20th century (#6) – IFFHS
• Top 10 Europe's Best Players of the 20th century (#4) – IFFHS
• Golden Foot: 2006 (as a legend){{cite web|url=http://www.goldenfoot.com/legends.php?l=en |title=Legends |publisher=Golden Foot |access-date=23 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925120930/http://www.goldenfoot.com/legends.php?l=en |archive-date=25 September 2015}}
• IFFHS Legends{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|title=IFFHS announce the 48 football legend players|publisher=IFFHS|date=25 January 2016|access-date=14 September 2016|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924082150/https://iffhs.de/iffhs-has-announced-the-48-football-legend-players/|url-status=live}}
• IFFHS Men Team of the Century (1901–2000){{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1060/|title=IFFHS MEN WORLD TEAM OF THE XXth CENTURY (1901-2000)|publisher=IFFHS|date=21 April 2021|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022152827/https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1060|url-status=live}}

Panathinaikos

• Alpha Ethniki: 1971–72
• European Cup runner-up: 1970–71
• Intercontinental Cup runner–up: 1971
• Football Cup of Greater Greece: 1970

Sol de América

• Paraguayan Primera División: 1986

South Melbourne Hellas

• National Soccer League: 1990–91
• NSL Cup: 1989–90
• NSL League Cup: 1990
• Dockerty Cup: 1989, 1991

{{Portal|Biography|Association football|Hungary|Spain}}

• List of top international association football goal scorers by country
• List of men's footballers with 50 or more international goals
• List of Spain international footballers born outside Spain
• List of Soviet and Eastern Bloc defectors
• List of footballers with 500 or more goals
• List of European association football families

{{notelist-lr}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web

|title = (82656) Puskás = 2001 PQ13

|work = Minor Planet Center

|url = https://minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=82656

|access-date = 18 January 2020

|archive-date = 28 October 2020

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201028011757/https://minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=82656

|url-status = live

}}

{{cite web

|title = MPC/MPO/MPS Archive

|work = Minor Planet Center

|url = https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/ECS/MPCArchive/MPCArchive_TBL.html

|access-date = 18 January 2020

|archive-date = 7 October 2010

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101007190852/https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/ECS/MPCArchive/MPCArchive_TBL.html

|url-status = live

}}

}}

{{refbegin}}

• (Autobiography) Ferenc Puskas: Captain of Hungary: Ferenc Puskas (1955). Reprinted in 2007 [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferenc-Puskas-Captain-Hungary/dp/0752444352 Link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017163216/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferenc-Puskas-Captain-Hungary/dp/0752444352 |date=17 October 2018 }}
• Behind the Curtain — Travels in Eastern European Football: Jonathan Wilson (2006) [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0752869078 Link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022649/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0752869078 |date=29 June 2011 }}
• The World Cup — The Complete History: Terry Crouch (2002) [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1845131495 Link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720022135/https://www.amazon.com/dp/1845131495 |date=20 July 2023 }}
• 50 Years of the European Cup and Champions League: Keir Radnedge (2005) [https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1844425290 Link] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022710/http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1844425290 |date=29 June 2011 }}
• Obituary in The Guardian by Brian Glanville, 18 November 2006

{{refend}}

{{Commons category|Ferenc Puskás}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• [http://www.origo.hu/sport/puskas/20061117puskas1.html Ferenc Puskás (career statistics)] {{in lang|hu}}
• {{BDFutbol player|7862|Ferenc Puskás player profile}}
• {{BDFutbol manager|7862}}
• [http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j7862.html?cat=SEL National team data] at BDFutbol
• {{NFT player|id=21029}}
• [http://www.realmadridfans.org/puskas.htm Biography at Real Madrid Fans] {{in lang|es}}
• [http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football-legends/ferenc-puskas-biro Real Madrid profile]
• [https://www.rsssf.org/players/puskas-in-ec.html Goals in European Cups] at RSSSF
• [https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/puskas-intlg.html Goals in International Matches] at RSSSF
• {{FIFA player|174886}}
• {{YouTube|FhoxJOAME-4|Puskas Goal – England 3:6 Hungary 1954 (video)}}
• {{YouTube|MrfpTIbY0PM|Real Madrid tribute to Ferenc Puskas (video)}}
• [http://diagnosticofutbol-educombe.blogspot.com/2008/08/si-puskas-jugara-hoy.html Poetry dedicated to Puskas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321113538/http://diagnosticofutbol-educombe.blogspot.com/2008/08/si-puskas-jugara-hoy.html |date=21 March 2012 }} {{in lang|es}}

{{Navboxes

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|title= Awards

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{{1954 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}

{{FIFA World Cup Statistical Summary's Best Player}}

{{Central European International Cup top scorers}}

{{UEFA Champions League top scorers}}

{{Nemzeti Bajnokság I top scorers}}

{{La Liga top scorers}}

{{Hungarian Footballer of the Year}}

{{1960 World Soccer World XI}}

{{1961 World Soccer World XI}}

{{1962 World Soccer World XI}}

{{1963 World Soccer World XI}}

{{FIFA World Cup All-Time Team}}

{{European Team of the 20th Century}}

{{IFFHS Men's World Team of the 20th Century}}

{{IFFHS Men's European Team of the 20th Century}}

{{FIFA 100}}

{{UEFA Jubilee Awards}}

{{Golden Foot Legends Award}}

}}

{{Navboxes

|title= International tournaments

|list1=

{{Hungary football squad 1952 Summer Olympics}}

{{Hungary squad 1954 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Spain squad 1962 FIFA World Cup}}

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{{Navboxes

|title= Ferenc Puskás managerial positions

|list1=

{{Deportivo Alavés managers}}

{{Panathinaikos FC managers}}

{{Real Murcia managers}}

{{Saudi Arabia national football team managers}}

{{Colo-Colo managers}}

{{AEK Athens F.C. managers}}

{{Club Sol de América managers}}

{{Cerro Porteño managers}}

{{South Melbourne FC managers}}

{{Hungary national football team managers}}

}}

{{Authority control}}

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