Let us now look back at the magical career of this player, and why he's considered to be a Hungarian football legend.

Initial years

Albert began his football career at Ferencvárosi TC, which was the beginning of a love story that lasted from 1952 till 1974. The Hungarian forward rose through the ranks during his time with the youth team, and eventually made his senior team debut on 2nd November 1958 against Diósgyőr. It was nothing less than a dream start for the player, as he scored a brace in that match.

His talents also led to then Hungarian national team manager Lajos Baróti spotting him in a youth match between Hungary and Yugoslavia. This eventually resulted in his first call-up for the national side. Albert's first international appearance came against Sweden on 28th June 1959, which ended on a 3-2 victory for the Hungarians. The debutant put on a heroic display, providing 2 assists for his side.

It was just the beginning of a beautiful chapter for Albert with the Hungarians, which saw him score 31 goals in 75 caps for his nation. Collective success was achieved as well by Albert and his teammates, as they collected the bronze medal on both of the Olympic Games in 1960 and the European Championship in 1964.

In between those heroics, Albert showcased his excellence in the biggest stage of them all. Despite Hungary's quarter-final elimination from the 1962 World Cup, Albert managed to win the Golden Boot Award ( joint-winner alongside 5 others) with four goals.

He achieved success at club level as well, winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup with Ferencváros in 1965. They did so in tremendous fashion, beating the likes of AS Roma, Manchester United F.C., and ultimately Juventus to clinch the title.

Further World Cup brilliance and Ballon d'or triumph

Albert showcased one his best individual heroics in the 1966 World Cup. In a match that's regarded as one of the finest in history, he was one of the star players. This fixture was Hungary's must-win match against Brazil, which ended in a 3-1 victory for the Hungarians.  Albert put up a world-class performance that not only got him a standing ovation, but also made football lovers forget about a certain Pelé in that match. The Hungarian's managed to reach till the quarters, before being knocked out by the Soviet Union.

The year of 1967 was arguably his most special as a footballer. In addition to winning the Hungarian Championship with Ferencváros and collecting the Hungarian Player of the Year title,  he ended up winning the Ballon d'or for his heroics. His biggest moment that year came outside the field though, as he celebrated the birth of his son.

Final years

The former Hungarian Forward managed to reach yet another Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final in 1968, but ended up losing to Leeds United 1-0. On 15th 1969, Albert suffered a serious fractured leg injury during a World Cup qualifier fixture against Denmark. He was sidelined for almost a year, and was sadly never the same player again.

Albert returned from injury on 27th April 1970, making his competitive comeback in the Hungarian Championship. His final major event was the 1972 European Championship, where he captured fourth place with Hungary. The same year also saw him capture the Hungarian Cup title for the first time, thus completing a collection of domestic silverware.

The legendary Hungary forward played his final league match on 17th March 1974 against Zalaegerszeg, coming on as a substitute and scoring one last goal in a 3-0 victory. Albert received greetings and gifts from the old boys after the match, following which he joined the opponents and his son, ran to the stands, bowed for the fans and left the field on the shoulders of his teammates. It was a fitting end to a beautiful career.

Also Read | 1950s Hungary: The Mighty Magyars