The original concept of the tournament was to bring together teams closely associated with the career of Ferenc Puskás.Continue reading
In the UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, Arsenal will host Real Madrid. In the lead-up to the match, the English club is recalling the one and only time when Ferenc Puskás, the legendary Hungarian footballer of Real Madrid, wore an Arsenal shirt, reported Magyar Nemzet.
On its official website, Arsenal speaks warmly of Ferenc Puskás, calling him one of the greatest legends in Real Madrid’s history. He was a three-time European Cup winner, a five-time Spanish champion, and scored 242 goals in 262 matches for the Spanish giants. “But is everyone aware that he once wore the Arsenal shirt—and even scored goals at Highbury?” the article asks. (Highbury was Arsenal’s home stadium from 1913 to 2006).
The article was spotted by Penamadridista, the largest Hungarian community of Real Madrid fans. It reveals that on September 9, 1971, Puskás;÷ was a special guest at the Rothmans Golden Boots Awards lunch.
Years later, FIFA would name its award for the season’s best goal after him—the Puskás Award.
In 1971, an event was held to announce the 1970/71 Team of the Year, which included Arsenal’s Frank McLintock, Peter Storey, and Ray Kennedy, who also won the Young Player of the Year award. The goalkeeper of the team was Gordon Banks, who had the honor of receiving his award from Puskás, a player he greatly admired.
Donning the red and white ⚪️
Why Real Madrid legend Ferenc Puskas was once firing in goals at Highbury
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 6, 2025
After the awards, 44-year-old Puskás, who had retired five years earlier from Real Madrid, and Gordon decided to have an impromptu penalty shootout. Highbury was opened to host this memorable event. Pat O’Connor, an Arsenal staff member, recalls:
“I saw Puskás in the center circle. He juggled the ball all the way to the goal and then fired it into the top corner. What a player… And what an amazing team Hungary and Real Madrid were in the 1950s and 1960s. Puskás still hit the ball like a rocket with his left foot. He might have gained a few pounds, but it seemed like he was enjoying every moment, just like Gordon was.” Puskás took ten penalties: he scored six, Banks saved three, and one went over the bar.
Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured picture: Fortepan/Kovács Márton Ernő