Ferenc Puskas, Real legend who played a game in the province of Florence
Considered the greatest Hungarian footballer ever and most general in football history, Ferenc Puskas he wrote indelible pages of the almanacs concerning Honved, Real Madrid and the Hungarian national team. In his career, despite there being no 100% certain and verified data, he has scored over 1000 goals, this alone would be enough to describe his importance in the world of football. Second striker fast and with a great shot, with Honved he played 354 games scoring 357 goals. A realization average that is truly unbelievable. In 1956 his team was on tour in Europe and the outbreak of the Hungarian revolution advised him not to return to his homeland. Milan and Juventus tried to sign him, but in the end Real Madrid won. Before landing at the Bernabeu, however, Puskas spent a few months in Italy, in Liguria to be precise. And there he met Renato Bonardi, manager of Signa 1914, a small company in the province of Florence. And before flying to the Bernabeu, Bonardi convinces the Hungarian to play a game with his team. It was January 28th 1958 and Signa 1914 won 3-0 against Fracor Empoli.
His friend and teammate at the time of Real, Alfredo Di Stefano, labeled him as ‘the best footballer of all time’. In the 8 seasons in Madrid Puskas played 180 games scoring 156 goals. His palmares speak for themselves: 5 Hungarian championships, 5 Spanish championships, a Spanish Cup, 3 European Cups, an Intercontinental Cup and an Olympic Gold with Hungary. As a coach, the Hungarian has won two Greek championships with Panathinaikos and a Paraguayan championship, as well as several trophies in Australia. Today 95 years have passed since the birth of this wonderful champion, who passed away in November 2006 due to an illness.
Teddy Sheringham, Edmundo, Marco Amelia, Ibrahim Afellay and Miralem Pjanic were also born today.