Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos and club CEO José Ángel Sánchez visited the grave of Ferenc Puskás at St Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest on Saturday, hours before the Spanish club faced Ferencváros in a preseason friendly at the Groupama Arena. The pair laid flowers at the grave during a ceremony organized by the Puskás Academy and attended by representatives of Ferencváros and the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ).
The commemoration preceded Real Madrid’s 2–1 victory over the Hungarian champions later that evening, watched by 20,097 spectators. It also came less than a year before the centenary of Puskás’s birth in 2027, an anniversary expected to feature cooperation between Real Madrid and MLSZ, as well as Hungarian clubs.
Earlier in the week, the Puskás Academy published an exchange of letters between its founder, Viktor Orbán, and Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez. Orbán invited Pérez to Hungary for celebrations next spring marking both the 100th anniversary of Puskás’s birth and the academy’s 20th anniversary. Pérez said the centenary would further strengthen the ‘eternal bond’ between Real Madrid and Hungary and that the Spanish club would support initiatives aimed at preserving Puskás’s legacy.
Puskás played for Real Madrid between 1958 and 1966, scoring 242 goals in 262 appearances and winning three European Cups, five Spanish league titles, an Intercontinental Cup and the Spanish Cup. Playing alongside Alfredo Di Stéfano, Raymond Kopa, Héctor Rial and Francisco Gento, he was a central figure in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
On the pitch on Saturday evening, José Mourinho’s side took the lead in the 41st minute through defender Mario Rivas. Carlos Espí, introduced at half-time, doubled the advantage in the 49th minute from Federico Valverde’s assist. Ferencváros responded eight minutes later when Kenan Kodro finished into the bottom corner to make it 2–1. The hosts remained within one goal for the rest of the match but could not find an equalizer.
The match also featured Vinícius Júnior’s first preseason minutes, while Bernardo Silva was introduced at half-time. Madrid’s starting side included Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler and Denzel Dumfries, with Mourinho using the friendly to give several academy players significant playing time.
Saturday’s fixture was the first meeting between the clubs in 31 years and Real Madrid’s first appearance at the Groupama Arena. Their only previous competitive encounters came in the 1995–96 Champions League group stage, when Madrid won 6–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu before Ferencváros earned a 1–1 draw in Budapest through Flórián Albert Jr.
Related articles:
At a time when public debate is increasingly polarized and superficial, Hungarian Conservative remains committed to depth, intellectual honesty, and independent conservative thought.
Producing high-quality journalism requires resources. Your contribution helps us expand our coverage, reach new audiences, and keep our content accessible.
Please consider supporting our mission.
