Foci

Miklós Fehér was born on July 20, 1979 in Tatabánya. He started his career in the Győr ETO team, then moved abroad at a young age: he transferred to the FC Porto team. His career ended at Benfica. Portuguese champion and cup winner, football gem and role model, he was one of Hungary’s most promising talents.

Miklós Fehér died twenty years ago, on this day. The soccer player collapsed during a league match. The doctors immediately began to resuscitate him and then took him to the hospital, but they could no longer save his life.

The tragedy was broadcast live, the shocking images will be remembered forever by those who saw it.

Peti Kabát was on good terms with Miklós Fehér, both were members of the national team. He considered him not only a teammate, but also a friend, and he has countless memories of him.

Even in civilian life, I got to know him as a very funny, handsome, very friendly and respectful boy. I can only say positive things about Miki

– Peti Kabát remembered his deceased soccer teammate.

He also recalled one of their shared stories to Fókusz.

“If I had to tell a story about Miki, I would immediately think of the Macedonian away match, which was my first national team match. It was very foggy, I was on the right wing, and Miki headed my pass from 10-12 meters – he headed very well,” said Kábát.

He said he remembers it so clearly because after 45 minutes the referee called off the match due to bad weather, but “those 45 minutes were enough to make it an official match”.

The Fókusz report, in which we remember Miklós Fehér with archival footage, also reveals that:

• the director of the match, Ricardo Espirito Santo, reassessed his life when he saw the disfigured face of the soccer player lying on the ground on the monitor;
• what happened in Benfica’s next match, when the team returned to the field for the first time without Miklós Fehér;
• what the referee of the match, his former coach, Iván Reszeli Sós, said about the tragedy, and how Portuguese fans reacted to the unfathomable loss.