Władysław Żmuda
Władysław Żmuda was born on the 6th of June 1954 in Lublin. He spent six years learning his trade with his first club Motor Lublin before finally spreading his wings in 1973 and switching to Gwardia Warsaw. The nineteen-year-old Żmuda was instrumental in Gwardia's UEFA Cup campaign of 1973, 74 where they narrowly lost out to eventual winners Feyenoord. This early period established a foundation for a career that would span decades across multiple continents.
Żmuda 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, Żmuda spent a brief spell with New York Cosmos before returning to Italy with US Cremonese. He played two of his three seasons with the club in Serie B. Żmuda ended his playing career in 1988 after a journey that took him through Polish leagues and into the heart of European football.
He was a participant at four FIFA World Cups, the first in 1974, where Poland reached third place. He received the FIFA Young Player Award at the tournament. He played a total of 21 matches at the World Cup finals, the sixth-most ever, tied with Uwe Seeler and Diego Maradona. Being a part of Polands squad for four tournaments, in 1974, 1978, 1982 and 1986, place him joint seventh in the all-time rankings regarding players who played in the most World Cup tournaments.
He was also a participant at the 1976 Summer Olympics, where Poland won the silver medal. Żmuda earned 91 caps for the Poland national team and scored 2 goals. His international career spanned from 1973 to 1986, with appearances recorded across every year except 1983. The table of his stats shows he made 10 appearances in 1973 and 9 in 1974 alone, highlighting his immediate impact on the national stage.
Individual accolades include the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award in 1974 and Polish Newcomer of the Year that same year. He received posthumous honors like the Ekstraklasa Hall of Fame in 2022. The Polish Football Association named him to their National Team of the Century covering the period from 1919 to 2019. Club honours included winning the Ekstraklasa title with Śląsk Wrocław in 1976-77 and Widzew Łódź in 1980, 81 and 1981, 82.
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Common questions
When and where was Władysław Żmuda born?
Władysław Żmuda was born on the 6th of June 1954 in Lublin. He began his professional career with Motor Lublin before moving to Gwardia Warsaw in 1973.
Which clubs did Władysław Żmuda play for during his career?
Władysław Żmuda played for Polish clubs including Śląsk Wrocław and Widzew Łódź, Italian teams such as Hellas Verona and US Cremonese, and New York Cosmos. His playing career ended in 1988 after spanning multiple continents.
How many FIFA World Cups did Władysław Żmuda participate in?
Władysław Żmuda participated in four FIFA World Cup tournaments held in 1974, 1978, 1982, and 1986. He played a total of 21 matches at these finals, which is the sixth-most ever recorded.
What awards did Władysław Żmuda receive during his football career?
Władysław Żmuda won the FIFA Young Player Award in 1974 and was named Polish Newcomer of the Year that same year. Posthumous honors include induction into the Ekstraklasa Hall of Fame in 2022 and selection to the National Team of the Century from 1919 to 2019.
When did Władysław Żmuda play for the Poland national team?
Władysław Żmuda earned 91 caps for the Poland national team between 1973 and 1986 with appearances recorded in every year except 1983. He also competed at the 1976 Summer Olympics where Poland won the silver medal.