In a speech reflecting on both the triumphs and challenges of Hungarian football history, PM Orbán highlighted the transformative journey the sport has undergone in recent years. “When we began rebuilding Hungarian football 15 years ago, it was in ruins,” the prime minister recalled, noting how the sport, once a source of national pride and international recognition, had been systematically dismantled during the communist era.
He described the incompatibility between football’s inherently national character and the internationalist ideology of communism, observing, “Football, by its nature, is national, while communism was international. The two could never coexist.” This era of isolation and neglect left behind deep scars on Hungary’s football culture and infrastructure.
The transformation began in earnest with the construction of Puskás Aréna, which opened five years ago to replace the crumbling Népstadion. PM Orbán described the old stadium as “a symbol of decline” and the new one as “a symbol of rebuilding Hungarian sports and football.” Since its inauguration, the arena has hosted landmark events such as UEFA European Championship matches, European finals, and the Champions League final, achievements that would have seemed unattainable just a few decades ago. “This was a century-old dream come true,” the prime minister said, emphasizing the national pride tied to these milestones.
With the opening of the Puskás Museum, Hungary has fulfilled a long-standing obligation to honor not only Ferenc Puskás but also his legendary teammates and the broader legacy of Hungarian football. “With the creation of the Puskás Museum, we have now completed this task, which was owed to Hungarian and world football, but above all to ‘Öcsi bácsi’ (Puskás’ nickname) and his brilliant Hungarian teammates,” PM Orbán remarked. Puskás, who embodied technical brilliance, tactical genius, and a talent for decisive goals, remains a towering figure in global football history. “He was the synonym for the goal itself,” the prime minister said, quoting Puskás’ teammate Zoltán Czibor.
The speech also touched on the broader revival of Hungarian football, driven by the government’s commitment to infrastructure development, youth programs, and professional leagues. PM Orbán noted the remarkable progress: Registered football players have tripled since the turn of the millennium, and Hungary now boasts nearly 300,000 players, most of whom are in youth categories. “If we reach 1 million registered players, we can truly match the legacy of Puskás and his generation,” he stated. The investments have extended to 2,000 renovated or newly built school and community fields, as well as professional stadiums and academies both within Hungary and in Hungarian communities abroad.
PM Orbán expressed gratitude to those who believed in the possibility of this transformation, singling out the Hungarian Football Association and its president, Sándor Csányi, for their leadership. He emphasized that the Puskás Aréna and its museum are for “all of us, for the joy of every Hungarian, whether they come for a football match or one of the great concerts held here.”
The Puskás Museum now stands as a world-class tribute to Hungary’s football heritage, encapsulating the spirit of Puskás and the Golden Team while inspiring future generations. “The Hungarian football heritage gives us strength, and it compels us to aim higher,” PM Orbán concluded, affirming Hungary’s determination to preserve its storied tradition and create new successes on the global stage.