Kubala was a renowned football star born in Budapest, Hungary, into a family of Slovak origin. He began his football career in Hungary but moved to Czechoslovakia in 1947 due to economic difficulties caused by hyperinflation in Hungary. Despite not speaking Slovak fluently, he acquired Czechoslovak citizenship based on his origins and joined the Czechoslovak national team. However, his stint in Czechoslovakia was short-lived as his club in Bratislava faced financial troubles, prompting him to return to Hungary in 1948. Kubala's time in Czechoslovakia proved pivotal as it was there that he found love. Despite returning to Hungary, he soon fled to the West due to the communist dictatorship. In 1950, he joined FC Barcelona, where he became a superstar and a beloved figure among fans. Kubala's leadership on the field earned him widespread admiration, and he played for the national teams of three countries: Hungary, Slovakia, and Spain. After retiring as a player, Kubala transitioned into coaching, managing the Spanish national team among other roles. His contributions to football were celebrated with a statue erected in front of FC Barcelona's stadium, Camp Nou, commemorating his legendary status in the sport.