Ferenc Puskas has Alzheimer's disease

**Poor Student** · 22/06/2005, 10:43 AM

I hzad never realised this. I was just browsing around soccernet and found this story:

Real to play testimonial for Puskas

BUDAPEST, June 21 (Reuters) - Real Madrid will play a testimonial game in Budapest on August 14 to raise money for former Real and Hungary great Ferenc Puskas, organisers said on Tuesday.
Puskas, 78, is in hospital suffering from Alzheimer's disease and the funds raised from ticket sales will be used to pay his medical expenses.

'We have a contract with the club that they are coming to Budapest to play a friendly for Puskas with their strongest squad and all their star players,' a spokesman for Hungarian property firm Trigranit, owned by multi-millionaire Sandor Demjan, told a news conference.

Real will play a team called the 'Puskas All Stars' selected by Hungary coach Lothar Matthaeus, who will also play in the match.

Puskas's Real team mates Alfredo di Stefano and Francisco Gento will attend the game.

Puskas, Hungary's most famous sportsman, captained his country to win the 1952 Olympic title.

A year later the 'Magical Magyars' became the first overseas team to beat England at Wembley when they crushed their hosts 6-3.

Puskas is the only player to score four goals in a European Cup final, when Real crushed Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3 in 1960.
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It's sad to see real greats in poor state. Great gesture by Real to look after one of their true Galacticos.

**anto eile** · 22/06/2005, 2:34 PM

terrible to see a legend in a bad way health-wise.

off topic but,wtf**ing hell is that boll*x about hungary being the first overseas team beating engerland????1949 goodison park didnt ireland beat them 2-0? im pretty sure the irish sea was there 55 years ago

**Éanna** · 22/06/2005, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by anto eile

terrible to see a legend in a bad way health-wise.

off topic but,wtf**ing hell is that boll*x about hungary being the first overseas team beating engerland????1949 goodison park didnt ireland beat them 2-0? im pretty sure the irish sea was there 55 years ago

it said at wembley. wasn't Ireland's win at goodison or something?

**anto eile** · 22/06/2005, 3:06 PM

ireland-first overseas country to beat england in england.and thats what matters!

**superfrank** · 22/06/2005, 5:03 PM

He was already in a bad way though, sure he's a blimp now. At least he has a club named after him.

**hamish** · 22/06/2005, 6:03 PM

Brilliant, brilliant footballer. So sad to hear about his condition.

**pineapple stu** · 22/06/2005, 6:47 PM

Originally Posted by anto eile

off topic but,wtf**ing hell is that boll*x about hungary being the first overseas team beating engerland????1949 goodison park didnt ireland beat them 2-0? im pretty sure the irish sea was there 55 years ago

See explanation on the 1949 video thread...

Sad to hear about Puskas, although I read not too long ago (I think on Teletext) that he was in a lot worse health... That seems to be somewhat unfounded at least.