033. Sandor Kocsis

Top scorer in the 1954 World Cup with 11 goals, Sandor Kocsis was a superb header of the ball and known as "The Man with the Golden Head". In 68 internationals he scored an incredible 75 goals, including a record seven hat-tricks. Born in Budapest in September 1929, he began with KTC before moving to Ferencvaros and at 19 helped them win the 1949 Hungarian title. After Ferencvaros were amalgamated into the new Honved team, he established a great partnership with Ferenc Puskas at both club and international level.

Kocsis made his international debut in 1949 and in the early 1950's was the Hungarian league's top scorer three times. A key member of the Hungarian side that remained unbeaten from the start of the decade, he was in the team that beat England 6-3 at Wembley in 1953. He scored two extra-time goals in the 1954 World Cup semifinal against Uruguay, but could not add to his 1952 Olympic Gold medal.

In 1956 Honved were playing in Spain during the Hungarian uprising and Kocsis, Puskas and others decided not to return home. Kocsis became player-coach of Young Boys Berne, then joined Barcelona in 1957 and scored in their defeat by Benfica in the 1961 European Cup final. He retired in 1966, at the age of 37, and died in 1978.

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