It is a rare and exceptional moment when an entire nation, a whole community mourns and remembers unanimously. Such a moment has come today, as it is no exaggeration to say that there is not a single member of the Hungarian nation who would not be affected by the death of Ferenc Puskás – or how we knew him: Öcsi Puskás.
The best known of all Hungarians of the 20th century is gone. He was a sportsman whose name allowed recognising, identifying us Hungarians all over the world even today, a generation later after the end of his active career.

And we all knew, when he was alive and we will never forget it even after his death, how a nation may call itself lucky that is mentioned and recognised in the world by him. Öcsi was one of the remarkable men who made this country great, and therefore we will forever be grateful to him.

Ferenc Puskás’s person embodied not only the Golden Team but also the golden age of Hungarian football. Thus, with his death, we now bid farewell not only to him but also to the most glorious era of the history of football in Hungary.

We all knew that “Uncle Öcsi” was seriously ill; all the same, we could not prepare ourselves for his death, because loosing a legend has always been unthinkable, inconceivable. But yet today happened what we, in our heart, thought impossible: the nation’s striker has gone.

In our grief over this event, even the awareness cannot bring sufficient comfort that the entire world of sports fans mourns together with us. And that we all know: though Ferenc Puskás, the man has left us, Puskás Öcsi, the legend will remain with us forever.

His funeral will take place on the 9th December 2006 in the Basilica of St. Stephen in Budapest.

The Hungarian Government has declared the day of Ferenc Puskas’ funeral to be a day of national mourning.