Puskas was a genius. A world-class player. Puskas’ Hungary, old dude, 2009
The more you score, the less nervous you are. ibid. Puskas 1992
He was fast as lightning. ibid. fan
He stood up for his teammates whenever he could. ibid.
Our national team is Olympic champions. ibid.
The golden team was born in 1953 at Wembley stadium … 6-3: It was a tremendous success … [at home] 7-1. ibid. Puskas
Perhaps we lost the [World Cup] final because we grew lazy after 2-0. ibid.
Hungarian Anger at Football Defeat. ibid. The Times
He liked to drink. ibid. fan
He announced that he wasn’t going home. ibid.
The [Madrid] press at the time was very much against him. ibid.
Hit the bar ten times in a row: he did it. ibid.
Puskas was one of its [football’s] greatest artists. ibid. Pele
It is our national game. An obsession. And the dream of millions of kids to make it in the sport just like their heroes. But since last November football has been in crisis: ‘Hundreds of young people might have suffered from historical sexual abuse in the world of football.’ Football Abuse: The Ugly Side of the Beautiful Game, news quote, BBC 2017
We’ve uncovered new testimony which lays bare the scale of sexual abuse against children. ibid.
Since November the [Scottish] police have identified 560 potential victims. ibid.
This is Bert Trautmann. A remarkable man with a remarkable story. The Bert Trautmann Story, Yesterday 2013
Bert rose to fame as Manchester City’s goalkeeper during the 1950s. Becoming the stuff of legend when he broke his neck during the 1956 F A Cup Final. ibid.
From Hitler Youth to Wembley glory. ibid.
He suffered frequent abuse from the terraces. ibid.
Football is the people’s game. We live it. We breathe it. But football doesn’t belong to us: it belongs to them. We watch in wonder daring to believe. As we are the dreamers they are the stars. Football’s Greatest: The Contenders, Sky Sports 2010
Ryan Giggs is a history-maker and a record-breaker … More than 800 players in a Manchester United shirt … Paulo Rossi occupies a special place in Italian hearts … Gheorghe Hagi: the short squad physique, the magical left foot … Luis Figo: the leader of Portugal’s golden generation … Denis Law: Manchester United’s holy trinity … Roberto Baggio: One of the world’s greatest players is arguably best remembered for the worst moment of his entire career … The divine pony-tail … Emilio Butragueno: His predatory instincts in front of goal … The Vulture remains a hero for both club and country … Thierry Henry: There’s no denying the talent in his feet … Bobby Moore: In the pantheon of footballing heroes few measure up to England’s World Cup-winning captain … Tackling became an art-form … George Weah: Consistently on the score-sheet throughout these years … sublime skills and lethal finishing … Kaka: The young Brazilian was a driving force … Dino Zoff: One of the greatest goalkeepers of all time … Lothar Matthaus: An astonishing 150 caps to his name … Eric Cantona: Inspirational … One of the most iconic footballers … Hugo Sanchez: The face of Mexican football … Hristo Stoichkov: Known for his explosive acceleration … His talent as a goalscorer was undeniable … Dennis Bergkamp: At London club Arsenal where his true genius came to light … Steven Gerrard: Liverpool’s captain and driving force, amazing and inspiring … Franco Baresi: One of the greatest defenders ever to play the game … Cristiano Ronaldo: a bona-fide superstar blessed with searing pace and power … Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: The goals flowed for both club and country … Lionel Messi: A Camp-Nou legend in the making … skill, control and vision … Socrates: A player who epitomised the beautiful game … David Beckham: His football ability first caught the eye … Romario: A Special talent. ibid.
He went on to a remarkable career with England and Manchester United. Football’s Greatest: Bobby Charlton
‘He had a grace. A change of pace like a strike of lightning ... The power in his shooting was immense.’ ibid. Terry Venables
Back in Manchester the city was in shock. The next few days were a fight for survival for so many who had been on the plane. Matt Busby and Bobby Charlton were among the lucky ones who pulled through. ibid.
‘The club was never really the same again.’ ibid. Bobby
‘One of the greatest players we’ve ever produced.’ ibid. Geoff Hurst
‘When I got the ball I smashed it in.’ Football’s Greatest: Gerd Muller, Muller
Once Muller began scoring the old nickname gave way to a new one: Der Bomber. ibid.
Back in Munich, Der Bomber’s ruthlessness for Bayern was gaining legendary status. ibid.
Muller’s goal had won the World Cup for Germany. ibid.
The combination of Cruyff and Gullit would help Feyenoord complete a famous league and cup double. Football’s Greatest: Ruud Gullit
With quality all over the pitch this Milan team was cementing its place in football history. ibid.
His playing career will always be remembered as one of the best of all time. ibid.
‘He was a sensational athlete; so strong and so fast.’ Football’s Greatest: Eusabio, fan
In May 1961 Benfica beat Barcelona 3-2 in Bern to become the first club apart from Real Madrid to win the European Cup. ibid.
1The first modern footballer combining a devastating blend of power and acceleration, then there was the fearsome shot. ibid.
‘Rivellino was an incredibly skilful player.’ Football’s Greatest: Rivellino, fan
‘One of the greatest midfielders Brazil has ever had.’ ibid. Pele
The skilful left-winger in perhaps the greatest national team ever to have played the game. ibid.
One of the greatest players the world has ever seen. Football’s Greatest: Michel Platini
Platini became one of the masters of free kicks. ibid.
‘Must come down to one of the best goalkeepers of all time.’ Football’s Greatest: Peter Schmeichel, Alex Ferguson
‘From when I was nine I was dreaming of playing for Manchester United.’ ibid. Peter
‘The fans loved his innocence and authenticity.’ Football’s Greatest: Mane Garrincha, fan
‘The greatest player I’ve ever seen.’ ibid. Pele
No-one not even Pele contributed so much to the myth of Brazilian football and its identification to the beautiful game. ibid.
In 1962 he became Brazil’s leader and inspiration. ibid.
One of those heroes: a footballer known to many simply as the King. Football’s Greatest: Kenny Dalglish
Will be for ever linked with Liverpool. ibid.
Breaking goal-scoring records for Spain and Real Madrid. Becoming one of the symbols of the city. Football’s Greatest: Raul
The goals just kept coming. ibid.
Johan Cruyff: he was football’s enigma … There would always be another dimension to his play. The perfect combination of intelligence and skill. Football’s Greatest: Johan Cruyff
A system that would become the celebrated Total Football. ibid.
He was Ajax’s star … The Ajax era. ibid.
The best player in the world at the time chose to sign for Barcelona. ibid.
He’s certainly won everything there is to win for club and country. Football’s Greatest: Ronaldinho
His intoxicating inspiration … Perhaps the most gifted player of his generation. ibid.
An eye for goal and an extraordinary touch. ibid.
The absolute Godfather of Real Madrid. And for many the greatest player of all time. Football’s Greatest: Alfredo di Stefano
‘He was the most complete player in history.’ ibid. Eusabio