Back in 2021, when Hungary recorded a surprise 1-1 draw with France at the European Championship, many put the share of the spoils down to playing in front of a packed crowd in Budapest, yet it has since become apparent that it represented the start of a resurgence in Hungarian football. Although a lull came after the 2-2 thriller with Germany that followed, Magyarok have put together a run of just three defeats in 17 games, defeating England and Germany three times during that period.
Clubs in England have gotten value for money when signing Hungarian players in the past. Zoltan Gera is a club legend at West Bromwich Albion and reached a Europa League final with Fulham, while 108-cap goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly wowed the fans of Crystal Palace and other select English teams with his tracksuit bottoms as well as his skills between the sticks. This summer has seen Milos Kerkez and Dominik Szoboszlai sign for each of Bournemouth and Liverpool in big-money transfers - the pair having the potential to keep their nation in major tournaments for the next decade - but they are going to require some help along the way.
When visiting Hungary for a football event, note that as stadiums are spread across the country, access is quickest on motorways due to the state of the secondary roads. To use these motorways and expressways you will need an e-vignette. Toll roads can only be used with a valid toll permit, so you must obtain the appropriate e-vignette before driving up. The Hungarian toll system covers motorcycles, passenger cars (and their trailers), lorries up to 3.5 tonnes and buses. These vehicles can only use the toll roads of the Hungarian motorway network with a pre-purchased toll ticket, i.e. an e-vignette. The vignette fee depends on the category of vehicle and the type of sticker. The classification of a vehicle into a toll category is determined by the registration certificate or official entry in the vehicle's registration document, the maximum permissible gross laden weight of the vehicle and the number of persons it can carry, or other authentic document issued for the vehicle, according to the type and technical characteristics of the vehicle otherwise surcharges may apply.
© Reuters
Of the current senior setup, Peter Barath is perhaps one to keep an eye on. Up until this summer, the 21-year-old's career had been spent with Debrecen, where he contributed nine goals and 12 assists from a range of positions, and although his game time has not been maximised over the past 12 months, champions Ferencvaros still jumped at the chance to sign him this summer.
Their faith in Barath was shown as he was immediately included in the starting lineup for their recent Champions League qualifiers, albeit a tie with Klaksvik which ended in failure. A four-year contract has been signed with Ferencvaros, but he is a player that Premier League teams may be assessing ahead of 2024-25.
Despite being just 18 years of age, such has been the hype over Zalan Vancsa that he has already been provided with his Hungary debut, and as many as 14 months ago at that. The winger was introduced as an 87th-minute substitute in a UEFA Nations League fixture in Italy, and while a second cap has not followed, it will come in time.
© Reuters
Vancsa has taken a different route in the professional ranks, joining Belgian side Lommel in January 2022 with stints at MTK in between. Just three goals and three assists have come from a total of 48 appearances, the teenager yet to take his exploits in the 2021-22 UEFA Youth League into men's football. Nevertheless, this is someone who is theoretically one productive campaign in the Belgian second tier away from being snapped up by a team in England.
The most excitement of all is stemming from the ability of Krisztian Lisztes. The playmaker only turned 18 in May, yet he is already a fully-fledged member of Ferencvaros' first-team squad. Spending the first half of 2022-23 in the second tier with Soroksar acted as the catalyst for then-manager Stanislav Cherchesov immediately promoting him into the squad from April onwards, the prospect far exceeding expectations.
A sensational five goals and one assist came from just 392 minutes of Nemzeti Bajnoksag football at the back end of 2022-23, and he has remained in the fold for the recent continental games. Two appearances for Hungary Under-21s followed in June, yet it is only a matter of time until he is drafted into Marco Rossi's ranks.
Liszstes is showing similar qualities to Szoboszlai, yet Ferencvaros will be eager to calm such expectations and retain his services for as long as possible unless they receive a proposal that they cannot refuse.
