Wladyslaw Zmuda
Encyclopedia
Władysław Antoni Żmuda is a former Polish
footballer, who played as a defender
for Śląsk Wrocław, Widzew Łódź, Hellas Verona, New York Cosmos
and US Cremonese. He earned 91 caps for the Poland national team
and is a four-time FIFA World Cup
participant.
before finally spreading his wings in 1973 and switching to Gwardia Warsaw, the Polish capital's second club. The 19-year-old Zmuda was instrumental in Gwardia's UEFA Cup
campaign of 1973–74 where they narrowly lost out to eventual winners Feyenoord. Zmuda pursued his career in Poland with Śląsk Wrocław and later Widzew Łódź before Italian club Hellas Verona secured permission to sign him from Poland in 1982. After two injury-plagued seasons at Verona, Zmuda spent a brief spell with New York Cosmos
before returning to Italy with US Cremonese, playing two of his three seasons with the club in Serie B. Zmuda ended his playing career in 1988.
, for which he earned 91 caps and scored 2 goals.
Żmuda was a participant at the 1974 FIFA World Cup
, where Poland won the third place and he was named as Best Young Player
of the tournament; 1978 FIFA World Cup
; 1982 FIFA World Cup
, where Poland won the third place again and 1986 FIFA World Cup
.
He played a total of 21 matches at the World Cup finals, which (tied with Uwe Seeler and Diego Maradona
) is the third most appearances ever, behind only Lothar Matthaus
and Paolo Maldini
. His four tournaments, in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986, place him second in the all-time rankings behind Antonio Carbajal
and Lothar Matthaus and level with such legendary names as Pelé
, Diego Maradona and Gianni Rivera
.
He was also a participant at 1976 Summer Olympics
, where Poland won the silver medal.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
footballer, who played as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Śląsk Wrocław, Widzew Łódź, Hellas Verona, New York Cosmos
New York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
and US Cremonese. He earned 91 caps for the Poland national team
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
and is a four-time FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
participant.
Club
He spent six years patiently learning his trade with his first club Motor LublinMotor Lublin
Motor Lublin is a Polish professional football team based in Lublin. The club was founded in December 1950 with their nickname The Yellow, White and Blues reflecting their official colours...
before finally spreading his wings in 1973 and switching to Gwardia Warsaw, the Polish capital's second club. The 19-year-old Zmuda was instrumental in Gwardia's UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
campaign of 1973–74 where they narrowly lost out to eventual winners Feyenoord. Zmuda pursued his career in Poland with Śląsk Wrocław and later Widzew Łódź before Italian club Hellas Verona secured permission to sign him from Poland in 1982. After two injury-plagued seasons at Verona, Zmuda spent a brief spell with New York Cosmos
New York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were an American soccer club based in New York City, New York and its suburbs. The team played home games in three stadiums around New York before moving in 1977 to Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, where it remained for the rest of its history...
before returning to Italy with US Cremonese, playing two of his three seasons with the club in Serie B. Zmuda ended his playing career in 1988.
National team
He played for Polish national teamPoland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
, for which he earned 91 caps and scored 2 goals.
Żmuda was a participant at the 1974 FIFA World Cup
1974 FIFA World Cup
The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
, where Poland won the third place and he was named as Best Young Player
FIFA World Cup awards
At the end of each FIFA World Cup final tournament, several awards are attributed to the players and teams which have distinguished from the rest, in different aspects of the game.These are awards granted during the men's senior tournament...
of the tournament; 1978 FIFA World Cup
1978 FIFA World Cup
The 1978 FIFA World Cup, the 11th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Argentina between 1 June and 25 June. The 1978 World Cup was won by Argentina who beat the Netherlands 3–1 after extra time in the final. This win was the first World Cup title for Argentina, who became the fifth...
; 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
, where Poland won the third place again and 1986 FIFA World Cup
1986 FIFA World Cup
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from 31 May to 29 June. The tournament was the second to feature a 24-team format. Colombia had been originally chosen to host the competition by FIFA but, largely due to economic reasons, was not able to do so and officially...
.
He played a total of 21 matches at the World Cup finals, which (tied with Uwe Seeler and Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona
Diego Armando Maradona is a retired Argentine football player and widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Over the course of his professional club career Maradona played for Argentinos Juniors, Boca Juniors, Barcelona, Napoli, Sevilla and Newell's Old Boys, setting...
) is the third most appearances ever, behind only Lothar Matthaus
Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Herbert Matthäus , is a German football manager and former player.In 1990, he was named European Footballer of the Year and World Soccer Player of the Year after captaining West Germany to victory in the 1990 World Cup...
and Paolo Maldini
Paolo Maldini
Paolo Cesare Maldini is an Italian former footballer who played as a left or central defender. He spent all 25 seasons of his career at Serie A club Milan, before retiring at the age of 41 in 2009, becoming a symbol and a legend of the club...
. His four tournaments, in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986, place him second in the all-time rankings behind Antonio Carbajal
Antonio Carbajal
Antonio Félix "Tota" Carbajal Rodríguez is a Mexican former football goalkeeper. He was also called "El Cinco Copas", in reference to his record of five World Cups played.-Pro career:...
and Lothar Matthaus and level with such legendary names as Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
, Diego Maradona and Gianni Rivera
Gianni Rivera
Giovanni Rivera is an Italian former football midfielder, mostly as an offensive playmaker, who was awarded the Ballon d'Or, one of the most prestigious individual awards in football, in 1969. He played the majority of his career with Serie A side A.C. Milan...
.
He was also a participant at 1976 Summer Olympics
1976 Summer Olympics
The 1976 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1976. Montreal was awarded the rights to the 1976 Games on May 12, 1970, at the 69th IOC Session in Amsterdam, over the bids of Moscow and...
, where Poland won the silver medal.