Major Who Conquered World Football
In the pantheon of football’s greatest legends, few names shine as brightly as Ferenc Puskás. The Hungarian forward, whose left foot was described as a “magic wand,” transformed the beautiful game and left an indelible mark on football history that resonates even today, decades after he hung up his boots.
Born on April 1, 1927, in Budapest, Hungary, Ferenc Puskás came from humble beginnings. His father, also named Ferenc, was a footballer himself, and young Puskás inherited both his name and his passion for the game. Despite his stocky build and apparent lack of traditional athletic physique, Puskás possessed something far more valuable: an extraordinary talent that would soon captivate the world.
Puskás began his professional career with Kispest AC in 1943 at just 16 years old. The club would later become known as Budapest Honvéd, and it was here that Puskás earned his famous nickname “The Galloping Major,” a reference to his military rank in the Hungarian army. His incredible goal-scoring ability quickly made him a household name in Hungary, but it was on the international stage where his legend would truly be forged.
The 1950s saw Puskás lead the Hungarian national team through what many consider the greatest era in the country’s football history. As captain of the “Mighty Magyars” or “Golden Team,” Puskás orchestrated a style of play that was revolutionary for its time. The team employed a fluid, attacking system that bewildered opponents and delighted spectators.
Between 1950 and 1956, Hungary assembled an astonishing record, losing only one match in over four years. The crowning achievement came in 1953 when Hungary became the first continental European team to defeat England at Wembley Stadium, winning 6-3 in what became known as the “Match of the Century.” Puskás scored twice that day, including a memorable drag-back goal that humiliated England defender Billy Wright. Six months later, Hungary thrashed England 7-1 in Budapest, with Puskás netting another goal.
During his international career, Puskás scored an astounding 84 goals in 85 appearances for Hungary, a ratio that remains one of the best in football history. His performances at the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland were particularly spectacular, despite the heartbreaking final loss to West Germany. He scored four goals in the tournament, including a brace in the opening match against South Korea.
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 changed Puskás’s life forever. While on tour with Honvéd, the uprising began, and Puskás chose not to return to Hungary. After a period of exile and inactivity that saw him gain weight and lose fitness, many believed his career was over. Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabéu thought otherwise.
At 31 years old and significantly overweight, Puskás signed with Real Madrid in 1958. What followed was a remarkable renaissance. Despite his age and initial fitness concerns, Puskás became one of the most prolific scorers in European football history. Playing alongside the legendary Alfredo Di Stéfano, he formed one of football’s most devastating partnerships.
With Real Madrid, Puskás won three European Cups and five Spanish league titles. His performance in the 1960 European Cup final at Hampden Park remains the stuff of legend—he scored four goals in Madrid’s 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt, a match often cited as one of the greatest football games ever played. In total, Puskás scored 242 goals in 262 matches for Real Madrid, winning the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga’s top scorer four times.
After retiring as a player, Puskás embarked on a coaching career that took him across the globe, from Canada to Australia, though he never quite replicated his playing success from the dugout. He eventually returned to Hungary in the 1990s after the fall of communism, receiving the recognition he deserved in his homeland.
FIFA honored his legacy by renaming their annual award for the most beautiful goal the “FIFA Puskás Award” in 2009. The stadium where he began his career in Budapest was renamed the Puskás Aréna, ensuring his name would inspire future generations.
Ferenc Puskás passed away on November 17, 2006, but his legacy endures as one of football’s immortals. With over 700 goals in his career, he wasn’t just a prolific scorer—he was an artist who painted masterpieces with his left foot. His story transcends statistics: it’s about a man who revolutionized football tactics, overcame political upheaval, and proved that talent and determination could conquer any obstacle.
The Galloping Major showed the world that football was more than just a game—it was poetry in motion, and he was its greatest poet. His influence can be seen in every skillful dribble, every perfectly weighted pass, and every thunderous shot that graces football pitches today. Ferenc Puskás didn’t just play football; he elevated it to an art form.
