The name of Ferenc Puskás matters in Hungary not only because stadiums and academies bear it. For those preparing for citizenship or permanent residency, Puskás is also part of the country’s official cultural canon. In 2013, his life story and football legacy were proposed for inclusion in the list of hungarikums — a collection of Hungary’s most valuable national achievements.
The grounds were as follows: Ferenc Puskás is one of the most internationally recognised Hungarian footballers, he was a central figure of the legendary Aranycsapat (Golden Team) of the 1950s, his name has become a brand for Hungary, and his biography is regarded as part of Hungarian national heritage.
Photo: Puskás and Hidegkuti, 1954. Wim van Rossem / Anefo, CC BY-SA 3.0
At a citizenship interview, you won’t be asked to recount Puskás’s career in detail. But if the conversation turns to Hungarian sport, famous Hungarians, or hungarikums, the name Puskás Ferenc and his Aranycsapat are well worth remembering.
