Gyula Zsengellér

Gyula Zsengellér (27 December 1915 – 29 March 1999) was a Hungarian footballer who played as a striker. A historic player of Újpest FC, he scored 387 goals in the Hungarian league between 1935 and 1947, making him the league's third-highest goalscorer of all-time. He was also a member of the Hungary national team that reached the final of the 1938 FIFA World Cup, being the tournament's second-highest scorer. Zsengellér also was the last surviving player of the Hungarian side that played the 1938 World Cup final.

After finishing his playing career, he worked as a coach for several clubs in Italy and Cyprus, guiding Pezoporikos Larnaca to a championship title and APOEL FC to a cup.

Club career

Born in Cegléd on 27 December 1915, Zsengellér began his career at Salgótarjáni TC, before joining Újpest FC in 1936, with whom he played for 11 years, until 1947. During his time there, he was the Hungarian league's top-scorer in five seasons (1938, 1939, 1943, 1944 and in the spring season of 1945), Europe's top goalscorer in 1939 and 1945 (56 and 36 goals, respectively), including a brace in the first leg of the finals against Ferencvárosi, helping his side to a 6–3 aggregate victory.

International career On 2 December 1936, the 20-year-old Zsengellér made his international debut for Hungary in a friendly against England at Arsenal Stadium in London, which ended in a 6–2 loss. In his second appearance, on 11 April 1937, he scored a hat-trick in a 1936–38 Central European Cup match against Switzerland in Basel. In total, he earned 39 caps, scoring 33 goals, making him the eighth-highest goalscorer in the history of the Hungarian national team.

Managerial career After his retirement, Zsengellér started a long and successful managerial career, working mainly in Italy and Cyprus, winning the Cypriot First Division with Pezoporikos Larnaca in 1954 and the Cypriot Cup with APOEL FC in 1976. In 1958, he was appointed as the manager of the Cypriot national team, a position he held for two years.

Death and legacy Zsengellér died on 29 March 1999, at the age of 83. He was initially buried in Cyprus, where his grave stood until October 2013, when his family brought his remains to Hungary and reburied them in his hometown of Cegléd. His son Zsolt was a sports journalist and former employee of Képes Sport.

A Turkish newspaper described him as the Paganini of football.

Career statistics Club statistics

International goals Hungary score listed first, score column indicates score after each Zsengellér goal.

Honours As a player Újpest Nemzeti Bajnokság I Champions (4): 1938–39, 1945, 1945–46, 1946–47 Runner-up (3): 1937–38, 1940–41, 1941–42 Mitropa Cup Champions: 1939

Hungary Balkan Cup Champions: 1947 Central European International Cup Champions: 1936–38 FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 1938

As a manager Cypriot First Division Champions: 1953–54 Cypriot Cup Champions: 1975–76 Cypriot Second Division Champions: 1976–77