Władysław Żmuda

Władysław Antoni Żmuda (Polish pronunciation: [vwaˈdɨswav ˈʐmuda];[lower-alpha 1] born 6 June 1954) is a Polish former professional 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.

Władysław Żmuda
Żmuda in 2007
Personal information
Full name Władysław Antoni Żmuda
Date of birth (1954-06-06) 6 June 1954
Place of birth Lublin, Poland
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Playing position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1970–1972 Motor Lublin 45 (0)
1972–1974 Gwardia Warszawa 34 (0)
1974–1980 Śląsk Wrocław 210 (5)
1980–1982 Widzew Łódź 67 (1)
1982–1984 Hellas Verona 7 (0)
1984 New York Cosmos 4 (0)
1984–1987 Cremonese 43 (1)
Total 410 (7)
National team
1973–1986 Poland 91 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Żmuda was born 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, one of the Polish capital's clubs. The 19-year-old Żmuda was instrumental in Gwardia's UEFA Cup campaign of 1973–74 where they narrowly lost out to eventual winners Feyenoord. 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, playing two of his three seasons with the club in Serie B. Żmuda ended his playing career in 1988.

International career

Żmuda played for the Polish national team, for which he earned 91 caps and scored 2 goals.[1]

He 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 Matthäus 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 Matthäus 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.

Honours

Club

Śląsk Wrocław

Widzew Łódź

International

Poland

Individual

Notes
  1. In isolation, Władysław is pronounced [vwaˈdɨswaf].

References
  1. Kadra.pl
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