Viktor Orbán said that the myth of the Golden Team would be continued.Continue reading
Hungarian football legend Ferenc Puskás has officially joined the ranks of iconic players in the eFootball online video game. As part of the video game’s “Epic: World Classics” campaign, Puskás’ player card has appeared alongside those of Pelé and Johan Cruyff, giving players the opportunity to relive the glory days of football, reads a press release from puskas.com.
The developer, Konami Digital Entertainment, celebrates the 30th anniversary of eFootball, previously known as Winning Eleven / Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) during its three decades of existence. eFootball has grown into a global platform with over 800 million downloads, playable on consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. Konami is constantly improving the game with weekly updates, interactive features such as Dream Team and Co-op, and the inclusion of iconic players who have made their mark on the history of football.
Ferenc Puskás, one of the most iconic figures in football history and captain of the legendary Hungarian Golden Team, won an Olympic gold medal in 1952, and a World Cup silver medal in 1954, with the Hungarian national team.
With 84 international goals and three European Cup and five league titles with Real Madrid, Puskás embodied creativity, goal-scoring instinct and unstoppable attacking play. His former Hungarian teammate, Zoltán Czibor, said of him, according to a famous inscription at the Puskás Museum in Budapest: “Once he kicked the ball, it turned into two goals.”
The legendary Hungarian national football team of the 1950s, known as the Golden Team. L-R: Gyula Lóránt, Jenő Buzánszky, Nándor Hidegkúti, Sándor Kocsis, József Zakariás, Zoltán Czibor, József Bozsik, László Budai II, crouching: Mihály Lantos, Ferenc Puskás, Gyula Grosics. Photo: Fortepan / Erky-Nagy Tibor
One of his coaching successes was leading Panathinaikos to the European Cup final, a feat that remains unmatched in Greek football to this day.
Puskás’ name lives on through statues, streets, and stadiums named after him, the FIFA Puskás Award for the most beautiful goal of the year, and Puskás Academy. Hungary’s national stadium, Puskás Arena, also bears his name and will host the UEFA Champions League final next year.
With the “Galloping Major” taking to the virtual pitch, the aim of the collaboration is to introduce Puskás’ unique and unparalleled story to new fans and strengthen Konami’s relationship with fans around the world, especially in Hungary,
writes the release.
“It is a great joy for all Puskás fans around the world that the ‘Magical Hungarian’ has joined the world class of eFootball. This means that millions of members of new generations will be able to encounter him, his outstanding achievements and his legendary personality,” said György Szöllősi, Puskás’ biographer and ambassador of the Puskás legacy, in response to the announcement.
The opening video for the “Epic: World Classics” campaign has been released, featuring Pelé, Cruyff, and Puskás. The campaign will run from July 10 to 31.
Via puskas.com, Featured image: Fortepan/ Kovács Márton Ernő