Tributes poured in from across the globe following the death of Hungarian football great Ferenc Puskas, who passed away in November 2006 at the age of 79. Puskas earned fame both with Hungary's celebrated national side of the 1950s and with Real Madrid, where he formed a celebrated partnership with Alfredo di Stefano.
Di Stefano called Puskas "a phenomenon, a very generous man," while Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon described the day as the most painful since he took office, saying supporters had lost a childhood hero. Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany said no Hungarian could remain unmoved by the loss, calling Puskas the most recognized Hungarian of the 20th century.
English figures also paid their respects. Sir Tom Finney, who watched from the stands as Hungary defeated England 6-3 at Wembley in 1953, said the performance was unlike anything previously seen in Britain. England goalkeeper Gil Merrick, who faced Puskas that day, praised him as both a footballer and a person.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson questioned how that Hungarian side failed to win the 1954 World Cup, while members of the West German team that beat Hungary in that final recalled Puskas as a fair and warm-spirited opponent in the years that followed.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.