Pál Dárdai
Encyclopedia
Pál Dárdai is a retired Hungarian
footballer who played mainly a defensive midfielder.
In a 20-year professional career, he played for over a decade in the same team, Hertha BSC in Germany
. With 286 Bundesliga
appearances, he is the club's most capped player.
, Dárdai started his professional career with local Pécsi Mecsek FC, moving in January 1996 to BVSC Budapest
. He helped his new club finish second in both the league and cup
.
In the same month of the following year, he signed with German
second division
side Hertha BSC, appearing in 10 games before the end of the season, with the club being promoted. In 1998–99, he contributed with 21 games (only six starts however) as the team finished in third position, only trailing vice-champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen by one point.
From then onwards, Dárdai became an essential first-team member for Hertha, as it qualified several times for the UEFA Cup. After appearing sparingly from 2004–06 (33 matches combined), he again featured heavily in the following years. From 2009, his appearances became less and less frequent: after only one game in the 2010–11 season
- with The Old Lady eventually returning to the top level - and also being demoted to the reserve team, the 35-year old retired from football, having appeared in 297 league games, more than any other player in the club's history.
with the U21s
, in 1996. He made his senior debut in a friendly against Slovenia
on 19 August 1998, and scored his first international goal on 10 October, in an UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against Azerbaijan
, in the 58th minute of a 4–0 triumph.
Often cast as starting central midfielder alongside Krisztián Lisztes
, under managers Bertalan Bicskei
and Imre Gellei, Dárdai captained the national side seven times during 2006, netting twice. On 15 November 2006, he was not included in Péter Várhidi
's provisional 25-man squad for Euro 2008 qualifiers, but featured in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying stages
, as Hungary was now managed by Erwin Koeman
.
Dárdai's father, also named Pál Dardái
, was also a footballer.
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
footballer who played mainly a defensive midfielder.
In a 20-year professional career, he played for over a decade in the same team, Hertha BSC in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. With 286 Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
appearances, he is the club's most capped player.
Club career
Born in PécsPécs
Pécs is the fifth largest city of Hungary, located on the slopes of the Mecsek mountains in the south-west of the country, close to its border with Croatia. It is the administrative and economical centre of Baranya county...
, Dárdai started his professional career with local Pécsi Mecsek FC, moving in January 1996 to BVSC Budapest
BVSC Budapest
The Budapesti VSC , or just short BVSC, was a Hungarian sports club from the capital Budapest. The club was founded in 1911 and dissolved in 2001. Of importance were amongst others the table tennis, wrestling and football departments...
. He helped his new club finish second in both the league and cup
Magyar Kupa
The Hungarian Cup is the Hungarian cup competition for football clubs. It has been incepted by the Hungarian Football Association, the Magyar Labdarúgó Szövetség in 1909, eight years after the commencement of the Hungarian League, the Nemzeti Bajnokság.Besides all of the professional clubs of...
.
In the same month of the following year, he signed with German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
second division
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
side Hertha BSC, appearing in 10 games before the end of the season, with the club being promoted. In 1998–99, he contributed with 21 games (only six starts however) as the team finished in third position, only trailing vice-champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen by one point.
From then onwards, Dárdai became an essential first-team member for Hertha, as it qualified several times for the UEFA Cup. After appearing sparingly from 2004–06 (33 matches combined), he again featured heavily in the following years. From 2009, his appearances became less and less frequent: after only one game in the 2010–11 season
2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
The 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga was the 37th season of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's second tier of its football league system. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 and ended with the last games on 15 May 2011...
- with The Old Lady eventually returning to the top level - and also being demoted to the reserve team, the 35-year old retired from football, having appeared in 297 league games, more than any other player in the club's history.
International career
Dárdai began playing for HungaryHungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
with the U21s
Hungary national under-21 football team
The Hungary national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team for Hungary and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation.Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Hungarian Under-21 team was formed...
, in 1996. He made his senior debut in a friendly against Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
on 19 August 1998, and scored his first international goal on 10 October, in an UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national football team
The Azerbaijan national football team is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan...
, in the 58th minute of a 4–0 triumph.
Often cast as starting central midfielder alongside Krisztián Lisztes
Krisztián Lisztes
Krisztián Lisztes is a Hungarian professional footballer, who plays for Ferencvárosi TC.- Career :Lisztes began his professional career as a midfielder, playing for the Hungarian team Ferencvárosi TC, where he was brought up through the youth academy. He was considered by many as one of the...
, under managers Bertalan Bicskei
Bertalan Bicskei
Bertalan Bicskei was a football goalkeeper and coach- Active career :As a youth player, he played for the most famous Hungarian club side, Ferencvaros, and he also honed his skills in Honved and MTK Budapest, both Premier Division Hungarian sides...
and Imre Gellei, Dárdai captained the national side seven times during 2006, netting twice. On 15 November 2006, he was not included in Péter Várhidi
Péter Várhidi
Péter Várhidi is a Hungarian football coach, who currently coached Pécsi Mecsek FC.-Career:As a player he spent most of his career at Újpesti Dózsa as a defender, but never played in the Hungarian League...
's provisional 25-man squad for Euro 2008 qualifiers, but featured in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying stages
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The European zone of qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup saw 53 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. The qualification process started on 20 August 2008, after UEFA Euro 2008, and ended on 18 November 2009. The qualification process saw the first competitive matches of...
, as Hungary was now managed by Erwin Koeman
Erwin Koeman
Erwin Koeman is a former football player and Dutch football manager. Currently he is the manager of FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie. He is the son of Dutch international footballer Martin Koeman, and, alongside his younger brother Ronald, has also represented the Netherlands...
.
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 October 1998 | Baku Baku Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal... |
1–0 | 4–0 | Euro 2000 qualifying | |
| 2 | 7 September 2002 | Reykjavík Reykjavík Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay... |
2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly Exhibition game An exhibition game is a sporting event in which there is no competitive value of any significant kind to any competitor regardless of the outcome of the competition... |
|
| 3 | 20 November 2002 | Budapest Budapest Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter... |
1–1 | 1–1 | Friendly | |
| 4 | 30 May 2006 | Manchester Manchester Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater... |
1–2 | 1–3 | Friendly | |
| 5 | 24 May 2007 | Zenica Zenica Zenica is an industrial city in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the capital of the Zenica-Doboj Canton of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity... |
3–0 | 3–1 | Euro 2008 qualifying | |
Club statistics
| Season | Club | Country | Competition | Matches | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–92 | Pécsi Munkás | NBI | 4 | 0 | |
| 1992–93 | Pécsi Munkás | NBI | 10 | 1 | |
| 1993–94 | Pécsi Munkás | NBI | 10 | 1 | |
| 1994–95 | Pécsi Munkás | NBI | 30 | 4 | |
| 1995–96 | Pécsi Munkás | NBI | 14 | 5 | |
| 1995–96 | BVSC Budapest BVSC Budapest The Budapesti VSC , or just short BVSC, was a Hungarian sports club from the capital Budapest. The club was founded in 1911 and dissolved in 2001. Of importance were amongst others the table tennis, wrestling and football departments... |
NBI | 7 | 0 | |
| 1996–97 | BVSC Budapest BVSC Budapest The Budapesti VSC , or just short BVSC, was a Hungarian sports club from the capital Budapest. The club was founded in 1911 and dissolved in 2001. Of importance were amongst others the table tennis, wrestling and football departments... |
NBI | 15 | 3 | |
| 1996–97 | Hertha BSC | 2. Bundesliga 2. Fußball-Bundesliga - Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20... |
10 | 0 | |
| 1997–98 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
14 | 0 | |
| 1998–99 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
21 | 1 | |
| 1999–00 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
15 | 1 | |
| 2000–01 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
24 | 2 | |
| 2001–02 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
27 | 3 | |
| 2002–03 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
29 | 4 | |
| 2003–04 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
29 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
17 | 0 | |
| 2005–06 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
16 | 2 | |
| 2006–07 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
28 | 3 | |
| 2007–08 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
23 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 | Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
26 | 1 | |
| 2009–10 2009–10 Fußball-Bundesliga The 2009–10 Fußball-Bundesliga was the 47th season of the Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's premier football league. The season commenced on 7 August 2009 with the traditional season opening match involving the defending champions VfL Wolfsburg and VfB Stuttgart. The last games were played on 8 May 2010... |
Hertha BSC | Bundesliga Fußball-Bundesliga The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga... |
17 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga The 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga was the 37th season of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's second tier of its football league system. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 and ended with the last games on 15 May 2011... |
Hertha BSC | 2. Bundesliga 2. Fußball-Bundesliga - Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20... |
1 | 0 | |
Team
- BVSCBVSC BudapestThe Budapesti VSC , or just short BVSC, was a Hungarian sports club from the capital Budapest. The club was founded in 1911 and dissolved in 2001. Of importance were amongst others the table tennis, wrestling and football departments...
:- Hungarian CupMagyar KupaThe Hungarian Cup is the Hungarian cup competition for football clubs. It has been incepted by the Hungarian Football Association, the Magyar Labdarúgó Szövetség in 1909, eight years after the commencement of the Hungarian League, the Nemzeti Bajnokság.Besides all of the professional clubs of...
: Runner-up 1995–96
- Hungarian Cup
- Hertha:
- 2. Bundesliga2. Fußball-Bundesliga- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
: 2010–112010–11 2. Fußball-BundesligaThe 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga was the 37th season of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's second tier of its football league system. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 and ended with the last games on 15 May 2011... - German League CupDFB-LigapokalThe DFB-Ligapokal, or German League Cup, was a German football competition that took place before the start of the Bundesliga season, featuring the top five teams of the previous Fußball-Bundesliga season and the winners of the DFB-Pokal in Germany...
: 2001, 2002; Runner-up 2000 - UEFA Intertoto CupUEFA Intertoto CupThe UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
: 2006
- 2. Bundesliga
Personal life
Dárdai is married and has three sons: Pál, Márton and Bence. His brother, Balázs, also a footballer, died during a friendly match in 20 July 2002. He was only 23 years old.Dárdai's father, also named Pál Dardái
Pál Dárdai (born 1951)
Pál Dárdai is a Hungarian football manager and former player.-Playing career:After playing with Véménd as a youngster, he begin his senior career playing as midfielder with Honvéd Steinmetz. In 1972 he moved to Komlói Bányász where he spent two seasons before joining Pécsi MFC in 1974 playing in...
, was also a footballer.