Puskas, goalscorer of the century

IN the marble halls of Hungary's Peoples' Stadium, Ferenc Puskas took his latest accolade, "Goalscorer of the Century", like a man not easily flattered.

"If they want to give me an award let them. I played football to score goals not win prizes."

And score goals he certainly did. 780 in 823 first class matches over a 23 year career which took him from the Stalinist rigours of Budapest's army team Honved to a career with the most glamorous and successful club in the world, six times European Cup winners Real Madrid.

Puskas, now a portly 68, who received the award from the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, was hard put to explain his phenomenal record.

"I guess I was always nearest the goal," he shrugged.

Puskas - came to prominence during a period during which the myth of invincibility of English football was laid to rest.

One match, which remains in the collective memory of all Hungarians, as well as that of many Englishmen, arguably did most to end the illusion.

In November 1953, the Hungarian national team took to the field at Wembley to give a complacent England a lesson those present would never forget.

Four up at half time, the `Mighty Magyars' coasted to a 6-3 victory to become the first nation ever to beat England at Wembley.

One moment of Puskas magic encapsulated the humiliation.

As English captain Billy Wright came thundering in for the customary slide tackle, Puskas simply rolled the ball back under his heel, leaving Wright to go slithering by.

Puskas then unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

To this day `6-3!' and a knowing wink remains a common greeting for English visitors to Hungary.

Despite the adulation, living conditions under Stalinism, reached breaking point in 1956 and as the national side returned from the Melbourne Olympics a group of players, including Puskas, took asylum in Vienna.

Once an 18 month soccer ban was lifted a number of clubs expressed interest in signing Puskas, but it was Madrid who finally made the best offer.

The move marked the beginning of one of football's greatest attacking partnerships, Puskas and Argentine Alfredo Di Stefano.

The 1963 European Cup Final which saw the Spanish champions, led by Puskas and Di Stefano, defeat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3, is still seen as the greatest club match in history.

Puskas retired in 1967 to begin a globetrotting coaching career which took him from Athens to San Francisco, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Paraguay.

"When I left Hungary I vowed never to come back. However, in 1981 they were making a film about the `Golden Team' and I was the only one missing so I agreed to return."

Puskas was guest of honour at the Hungary match against England. This time round, however, England won 3-1, ensuring their qualification for the 1982 World Cup.