Hungary mourns legendary footballer Hidegkuti

Nandor Hidegkuti, a key member of Hungary's memorable "Golden Team" of the 1950s, died in hospital on Thursday. He was 80.

Hungary's hat-trick hero in a 6-3 victory over England in 1953 which shook world soccer, Hidegkuti had been ill for some time with heart and lung problems.

Jeno Buzanszky, who with the legendary Ferenc Puskas and goalkeeper Gyula Grosics are the sole survivors of the "Magical Magyars" side that mesmerised England, saluted his former team mate and good friend.

"I met him last Sunday and kissed him on the forehead. It will take time to get over this, because apart from being a soccer legend, I have lost my best friend, too," Buzanszky said in a note on his website.

GREAT LOSS

"He was one of the greatest players in Hungarian soccer. He created a new role, playing behind the strikers, but still managed to score a few goals," he said.

Grosics, too, lamented the loss of a close friend.

"It's a great loss, personally. It's hard to find the words to express what I really feel," he said.

"It's sad that only three of us are now left from that Golden Team, which was famous for its special team spirit," Grosics added.

Puskas, who has been hospitalised since October 2000, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Hidegkuti, who patented the role of deep-lying centre forward, will be best remembered for his performance in the 1953 demolition of England at Wembley.

Between 1945 and 1958, coinciding with Hungary's golden era, Hidegkuti won 68 caps and scored 39 goals.

Imre Bozoky, President of Hungary's Football Association, told the FA's official website he was "staggered" by news of Hidegkuti's death.

He also said he had visited Hidegkuti in hospital, last month, but never thought it would be their last meeting.

"He will be greatly missed, not just by Hungarians, but by the whole footballing world. Now we are short of another legend," Bozoky added.

During his heyday as a player, Hidegkuti helped Hungary to Olympic gold in 1952 and was in the team that lost to Germany in the 1954 World Cup final.

He spent 14 years at MTK, helping the Budapest club to three national titles, in 1951, 1953 and 1958, before going on to coach Italy's Fiorentina, who he led to the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1961.

Two years later, he coached Gyor to the Hungarian championship and had a successful spell in Egypt.