Zygmunt Paweł Maszczyk (born 3 May 1945) is a Polish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.

Zygmunt Maszczyk
Personal information
Full name Zygmunt Paweł Maszczyk
Date of birth (1945-05-03) 3 May 1945 (age 79)
Place of birth Siemianowice Śląskie, Poland
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1955–1962 Siemianowiczanka
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1963–1976 Ruch Chorzów 310 (41)
1977–1978 Valenciennes 36 (4)
1979–1980 CKS Czeladź
Total 346 (45)
International career
1968–1976 Poland 36 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Poland
FIFA World Cup
Third place 1974 West Germany
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1972 Munich Team
Silver medal – second place 1976 Montreal Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He earned 36 caps with the Poland national team and was a participant at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, where Poland won the bronze medal, at the 1972 Summer Olympics, where Poland won the gold medal and at the 1976 Summer Olympics, where Poland won the silver medal.

Career

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Early in his career (1955–1962), Maszczyk played in local club Siemianowiczanka Siemianowice Śląskie. He moved to the well-renowned Ruch Chorzów in 1963 and played there until 1976, appearing in 310 matches. He was instrumental in Ruch becoming three time national champion (1968, 1974, 1975) and winning the Polish Cup (1974).

During his career, Maszczyk was perhaps the most popular player of Ruch. He was well regarded for his flawless technique, exceptional work ethic, tirelessness, and quietness and aversion to media.

As an example of his style, Maszczyk was acclaimed as obviously moving the most in the field of all the players of the Poland national team that won the bronze medal at the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

Fans called him "Zyga" (a Silesian diminutive for Zygmunt).

Later, Maszczyk moved to Germany, where he left the sports career. By 1981, he lived and work in Lüdenscheid.

Honours

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Ruch Chorzów[1]

Poland[1]

Individual

Orders[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Zygmunt Maszczyk". 90minut.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Laureaci". pilkanozna.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Zygmunt Maszczyk". orlygorskiego.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 3 May 2024.