Zbigniew Boniek is a Polish former footballer and manager as well as current UEFA vice-president.
18 Facts About Zbigniew Boniek
2.
Zbigniew Boniek won the European Cup in 1985, against Liverpool , winning the penalty that Michel Platini subsequently converted to win the title for Juventus, although the team's victory was overshadowed by the Heysel Disaster.
3.
Zbigniew Boniek represented the Poland national team in 80 international matches between 1976 and 1988, and scored 24 goals.
4.
Zbigniew Boniek took part at the 1978,1982, and 1986 FIFA World Cups with Poland.
5.
Zbigniew Boniek later starred in the Polish team that won a bronze medal at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain: he helped his team reach the semi-finals of the tournament, scoring four goals in the process.
6.
Zbigniew Boniek returned to the starting line-up for the victorious third-place match against France and was named to the team of the tournament for his performances throughout the competition.
7.
Zbigniew Boniek preferred to operate between the lines in a free role, although he was a versatile player, capable of playing in several offensive and midfield positions on either flank or through the centre, and throughout his career he was deployed as an attacking midfielder, as a right winger, in a playmaking role as a central midfielder, as a centre-forward, or as a second striker; his Juventus manager, Giovanni Trapattoni often struggled to find the most suitable position for him.
8.
Zbigniew Boniek was known for his extroverted personality and his trademark moustache, which made him a highly recognisable player.
9.
In particular, Zbigniew Boniek was highly regarded for his ability to make sudden attacking runs to beat the defensive line and get on the end of his teammates' long passes, especially those of Michel Platini, with whom he formed a close friendship and formidable partnership at the Turin club, which made him lethal on counterattacks; this prompted Diego Maradona to describe Zbigniew Boniek as the best counterattacking player in the world.
10.
Zbigniew Boniek has served as vice-president of the Polish Football Association, and in July 2002 he became the manager of Poland.
11.
Zbigniew Boniek resigned in December 2002, after just five matches.
12.
Zbigniew Boniek later worked as a pundit and football commentator.
13.
In 2004, Zbigniew Boniek was named by Pele as one of the 125 Greatest Living Footballers, as part of FIFA's centenary celebrations.
14.
Zbigniew Boniek is popular for speaking in favour of decriminalising football fans by legalising pyrotechnics inside stadiums, a common practice among ultras.
15.
Zbigniew Boniek's father, Jozef Boniek, was a professional football player and later a manager.
16.
Garcia chose to have the name "Zbigniew Boniek" written across the back of his jersey while playing for Houston.
17.
Zbigniew Boniek Forbes was born on 30 September 1983 and is a Guinea-Bissau footballer who plays as a winger for Cheshunt.
18.
Zbigniew Boniek played for Leyton Orient in the Football League.