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 Bozsik in 1954 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | (1925-11-28)28 November 1925 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Kispest,Hungary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 31 May 1978(1978-05-31) (aged 52) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Budapest,Hungary | |||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Central midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1937–1943 | Budapest Honvéd | |||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||
| 1943–1962 | Budapest Honvéd | 477 | (33) | |||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1947–1962 | Hungary | 101 | (11) | |||||||||||||||||
| Managerial career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1966–1967 | Budapest Honvéd | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1974 | Hungary | |||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||
József Bozsik (Hungarian pronunciation:[ˈjoːʒɛfˈboʒik]; 28 November 1925 – 31 May 1978) was a Hungarianfootballer who played as acentral midfielder.[1] He spent his entire club career at his hometown club,Budapest Honvéd. Bozsik was a key member of the legendaryGolden Team as he representedHungary in various international tournaments. Honvéd named their stadium,Bozsik József Stadion, after him.
József Bozsik was born in Kispest, now a district ofBudapest. Given the nickname "Cucu" by his grandmother, he grew up playing football on the local football grounds in Kispest with his best friend and neighbourFerenc Puskás.[citation needed]
As an 11-year-old, Bozsik attracted the attention ofBudapest Honvéd and the club signed him to the youth team. In 1943, he made his debut for the first team againstVasas SC. He made his debut forHungary at the age of 21 againstBulgaria on 17 August 1947 and went on to win 101 caps and score 11 goals by the time he last played for the national side on 18 April 1962 againstUruguay. He remained the most capped Hungarian player until 2016, when his record was broken by goalkeeperGábor Király.[2]
Bozsik won theOlympic gold medal[3] with his country in 1952 inHelsinki and finished second with the Hungarian team in the1954 FIFA World Cup. He also took part in Hungary's famous6–3 win overEngland atWembley and the team's7–1 win over England in Budapest.
In 1956–57, Bozsik returned from Honvéd's winter tour to play in the1958 FIFA World Cup. A year later, he won theMitropa Cup withHonvéd. In all, he played 477 top-level games for KAC (and its legal successor BHSE) and scored 33 goals.
In his prime, Bozsik was considered one of the best attackinghalf-backs in the world, possessing good technique, flair, tactical nous, passing accuracy and creativity, although he suffered from a lack of pace. He was often used as a deep lying playmaker where his tackling ability was also helpful. He is considered one of the greatest Hungarian footballers.[4]
Throughout his career, Bozsik won many honours and was even made a Member of Parliament. After his retirement, he became a member of the board at his old club. He also managed the team for 47 matches between January 1966 and September 1967, after which he returned to his position on the board. In 1974, he was chosen to manage the Hungarian national team, but illness forced him to resign soon after he got the job.[citation needed]
József Bozsik died in Budapest, aged 52, due toheart failure. He was made a Freeman of Kispest posthumously.
Budapest Honvéd
Hungary
Individual
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Hungary squads | |||||||||||||
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