Barça and Ferencváros pay homage to Kubala

Ladislao Kubala was a legend at both Barça and Ferencváros, who meet on Tuesday night in the Champions League for the first time in an official encounter. Ahead of the 9pm CEST kickoff at the Camp Nou, representatives of the two clubs laid flowers in front of his statue at the stadium.

Institutional Vice-President Pau Vilanova attended on behalf of FC Barcelona, as did the club's Players Association President, Ramon Alfonseda. Present for Ferencváros were President Gábor Kubatov and CEO Pál Orosz, amongst others, as well as the Hungarian ambassador to Barcelona, Balázs Taróczy. Representing the Kubala family was his son, Laçi Kubala.

Barça and Ferencváros were founded in the same year (1899), but have only met in friendly matches before. The most recent of these was in 1977.

Kubala played for FC Barcelona from 1950-1961, after appearing for Ferencváros in the 1940s. His arrival was a turning point for the club, as his skill allowed for a spectacular playing style that camptivated Europe.

Besides Kubala, other players to feature for both clubs are Emil Berkessy (at Barça from 1934-36), Sándor Kocsis (1958-66) and  Zoltán Czibor (1958-61).  Four further Hungarians have worn Barça colours: Ferenc Platko, Gyorgy Szeder, Laszlo Kaszner and Tibor Szalay.