This Day in History: 2022-10-19

Nr. 325

HUNGARIAN PLAYERS DISPERSE AFTER UPRISING (1956)

On 23 October 1956 the Hungarian people took to the streets to overthrow the Soviet-backed communist government. For 12 days it looked as though they had succeeded, but then the Soviet Union sent the tanks in. Honved’s great side were in Spain at the time for a European Cup tie against Athletico Bilbao. Honved decided it wasn’t safe to return home, summoned their families and embarked on a fundraising tour. Afterwards, some players returned to Hungary, while others defected, including Ferenc Puskas, who went to Real Madrid, and Sandor Kocsis and Zoltan Czibor, who went to Barcelona. The great Hungary side would never play together again.

The brutal crushing of the Hungarian uprising by the Soviets meant many of their great football team would never play in the country again.