Top > Sport > 2006 > December > 2006-12-15

Soccer Legend, Ferenc Puskas, Laid to Rest

Hungary?s flags flew at half-mast over the weekend as the country mourned the death of one its greatest sport legends, Ferenc Puskas. ?Little Brother?, as Puskas was fondly called in Hungary, was buried in the Szent Istvan cathedral in a full military ceremony, in honor of his career as major in the Hungarian army. Puskas was promoted posthumously to the title of Brigadier General, after achieving colonel status in 1995.

Ferenc Puskas was clearly the most recognized Hungarian in recent history. His soccer brilliance was first noticed when he captained Hungary during the 1950?s. He took part in two of the most brilliant games in soccer history ? Hungary?s astounding Wembley victory over England in 1953 (6-3) and when he played for Real Madrid in the 1960 World Cup Final and helped bring his team to victory a 7-3 over Eintracht Frankfurt. Puskas defected to the west in 1956 and was immediately signed up to join the Spanish team by Alfredo di Stefano.

In the 1980?s, after spending many years successfully coaching in western countries, Puskas returned with his family to Hungary. In 2000, he was diagnosed with arteriosclerosis and, later, with Alzheimer?s Disease. Puskas finally succumbed to respiratory complications from pneumonia and died last month, at the age of 79. On the weekend, thousands bid farewell to their hero in a ceremony that took place in the Budapest national soccer stadium ? named after Puskas himself. ?One star less on the earth from now on, one more star will shine in the sky," his former teammate eulogized at the ceremony.