Władysław Żmuda

Władysław Antoni Żmuda (; born 6 June 1954) is a Polish former professional footballer who played as a defender for Śląsk Wrocław, Widzew Łódź, Hellas Verona, New York Cosmos and US Cremonese. He earned 91 caps for the Poland national team and is a four-time FIFA World Cup participant. At the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where Poland claimed third place, he received the FIFA Young Player Award.

Club career Żmuda was born in Lublin. He spent six years learning his trade with his first club Motor Lublin before finally spreading his wings in 1973 and switching to Gwardia Warsaw, one of the Polish capital's clubs. The 19-year-old Żmuda was instrumental in Gwardia's UEFA Cup campaign of 1973–74 where they narrowly lost out to eventual winners Feyenoord. Żmuda pursued his career in Poland with Śląsk Wrocław and later Widzew Łódź before Italian club Hellas Verona secured permission to sign him from Poland in 1982. After two injury-plagued seasons at Verona, Żmuda spent a brief spell with New York Cosmos before returning to Italy with US Cremonese, playing two of his three seasons with the club in Serie B. Żmuda ended his playing career in 1988.

International career

Żmuda played for the Poland national team, for which he earned 91 caps and scored 2 goals.

He was a participant at four FIFA World Cups, the first in 1974, where Poland reached third place. He received the FIFA Young Player Award at the tournament.

He played a total of 21 matches at the World Cup finals, the sixth-most ever, tied with Uwe Seeler and Diego Maradona and behind only Lionel Messi, Lothar Matthäus, Miroslav Klose, Paolo Maldini and Cristiano Ronaldo. Being a part of Polands squad for four tournaments, in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986, place him joint seventh in the all-time rankings regarding players who played in the most World Cup tournaments.

He was also a participant at the 1976 Summer Olympics, where Poland won the silver medal.

Career statistics International

Scores and results list Poland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Żmuda goal.

Honours Śląsk Wrocław Ekstraklasa: 1976-77 Polish Cup: 1975–76

Widzew Łódź Ekstraklasa: 1980–81, 1981–82 Polish Football Association National Team of the Century: 1919–2019 Ekstraklasa Hall of Fame: 2022