What object best reflects your connection to Hungary? What emotions and memories does it evoke? This time, it’s Talita from Brazil, one of our ANH Volunteers who tells her story.
Hungarian culture is quite diverse, and without a doubt, football is one of the country's most important phenomena.
Who hasn’t heard of Ferenc Puskás? The Hungarian legend revolutionized the history of football in the country and is still remembered each year through one of the world's most prestigious football awards: the FIFA Puskás Award, which recognizes the most beautiful goal of the year.
It is within this captivating context that, somewhat curiously, I chose an official Ferencvárosi TC team (“Fradi”) jersey as the object that most reflects my connection with Hungary.
At the end of a Fradi match at Groupama Arena in 2023, during my first year of studies in the country, I saw the Brazilian player Marquinhos leaving the field. I immediately shouted a few words in Portuguese to get his attention and asked for his jersey. He saw me in the stands, we talked briefly, and we arranged a moment so that, a few days later, after another match, he could give me his official jersey with an autograph. Today, the jersey is kept in my private collection back home.
That moment will forever remain in my memory, because it was when I truly felt at home, even though I was so far away. At a football match of one of Hungary’s biggest teams, I met a Brazilian player—something unexpected—and created a memory I will never forget.
After that day, it was wonderful to attend many football matches in Hungary. On other occasions, I had the chance to meet great names in Hungarian football, such as Barnabás Varga, and even the star of the modern era, Dominik Szoboszlai, as well as the coach of the Hungarian national team, Marco Rossi.
Therefore, if you truly want to experience Hungary, I recommend discovering one of the country’s greatest passions: football.
It is a sport that unites the community through a beautiful, unique, and loyal passion, and that reflects the lively spirit of the Hungarian people.
Photos provided from the personal archive of Talita Hadassa