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Attila Szalai

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The native form of this personal name is Szalai Attila Árpád. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.

Attila Szalai
Szalai with Hungary in 2023
Personal information
Full name Attila Árpád Szalai[1]
Date of birth (1998-01-20) 20 January 1998 (age 26)
Place of birth Budapest, Hungary
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)[2]
Position(s) Centre-back, left-back
Team information
Current team
 SC Freiburg
(on loan from TSG Hoffenheim)
Number 6
Youth career
2010–2012 Vasas
2012–2015 Rapid Wien
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 Rapid Wien II 43 (1)
2016 Rapid Wien 1 (0)
2017–2019 Mezőkövesd 45 (2)
2019–2021 Apollon Limassol 30 (2)
2021–2023 Fenerbahçe 84 (6)
2023– TSG Hoffenheim 4 (0)
2024– → SC Freiburg (loan) 3 (0)
International career‡
2014 Hungary U-16 1 (0)
2014–2015 Hungary U-17 5 (1)
2015–2017 Hungary U-19 13 (0)
2017–2019 Hungary U-21 18 (2)
2019– Hungary 43 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 March 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 26 March 2024

Attila Árpád Szalai (born 20 January 1998) is a Hungarian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg, on loan from TSG Hoffenheim, and the Hungary national team.

Club career

Early years

Szalai started playing football in Göd, then moved to youth team of Vác FC and later to the youth team of Vasas's academy,

Rapid Wien

In 2012, Austrian Bundesliga club Rapid Wien called Szalai up, and, after a week of trials, he was signed. First, he played in the club's youth and reserve teams, in the third division, and then he was promoted to the senior team. He made his debut as a professional at the age of 18 on 11 May 2016, starting in a 1–1 home tie against Altach.[3] It was the only time Szalai played for the team in a professional match.[4]

Mezőkövesd

On 1 July 2017, Szalai signed a three-year contract with Mezőkövesd.[5] On 30 July 2017, he debuted in a 5–0 defeat against Ferencvárosi TC at the Ferencváros Stadion in the 2017–18 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season.[6] In his two seasons in the Hungarian top flight, he scored two goals in 45 matches for the club. On 21 July 2018, he scored the sexond goal in a 3–1 victory over Paksi FC in the 2018–19 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season at the Mezőkövesdi Városi Stadion.[7] He scored his second goal in a 1–1 draw with Újpest FC at the Szusza Ferenc Stadion on 18 August 2018.[8]

Apollon Limassol

On 1 July 2019, Szalai signed a four-year contract with Cypriot team Apollon Limassol.[9]

Szalai made his debut in Cyprus on as a half-time substitute in Apollon's UEFA Europa League qualifying match against Kauno Žalgiris, which his team won 2–0, on 11 July 2019. He then scored his first goal for his new team in the second leg of the tie on 18 July.

In November 2020, Turkish club Galatasaray inquired about signing Szalai.[10]

Fenerbahçe

On 17 January 2021, Szalai signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Fenerbahçe.[11] On 25 January 2021, he made his debut for the club in a Süper Lig match against Kayserispor at the Ülker Arena, which Fenerbahçe won 3–0.[12]

On 8 March 2021, Szalai scored his first goal in the Süper Lig against Konyaspor, at the Konya Büyükşehir Stadium, on the 29th matchday of the 2020–21 Süper Lig season; Fenerbahçe won 3–0.[13]

On 28 February 2022, Szalai scored his first and only goal in the 2021–22 Süper Lig season against Kasımpaşa, at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium in Istanbul. The match ended with a 2–1 victory for Fenerbahçe.[14]

In the 2022–23 Süper Lig season, Szalai played 32 matches and scored two goals.[15] He scored his first goal of the season in a 4–0 victory against Konyaspor on 25 February 2023.[16] On 10 April 2023, he scored in a 2–1 away victory against Fatih Karagümrük at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul.[17]

On 11 June 2023, Szalai won the 2023 Turkish Cup final with Fenerbahçe.[18] In the final, his club beat İstanbul Başakşehir 2–0.[19]

Although he was linked with a move to Union Berlin during the early summer of 2023, Szalai was instead purchased by fellow German club TSG Hoffenheim.[20][21]

TSG Hoffenheim

On 24 July 2023, Szalai joined TSG Hoffenheim on a four-year contract deal, for a fee of €12.3 million.[22][23][24]

On 19 August 2023, Szalai debuted against SC Freiburg in a 2–1 home defeat in the 2023–24 Bundesliga season. He also scored an own goal in the 39th minute.[25] Consequently, he was substituted at half time and did not feature in the starting line-up for the club's subsequent match against 1. FC Heidenheim.[26] On 2 September, Szalai played against VfL Wolfsburg, and was not substituted.[27][28]

Loan to SC Freiburg

On 21 January 2024, Szalai was loaned to SC Freiburg for the remainder of the 2023–24 Bundesliga season.[29][30][31] In an interview, published by Kicker, Klemens Hartenbach, the sports director of Freiburg, said that how Szalai signed the contract was weird. On 21 January 2024, Freiburg hosted Hoffenheim and Szalai was sitting among the substitutes for the entire match. After the match an agreement was reached between the two clubs and Szalai signed the loan contract wearing the Hoffenheim shirt.[32][33] On 27 January 2024, he played his first match in a 3–1 defeat from SV Werder Bremen.[34] He entered the pitch in the 71st minute as a substitute for Lukas Kübler.

International career

Szalai against Pogba of France, during Hungary's second group match of UEFA Euro 2020

Szalai made his senior debut for the Hungary national team on 15 November 2019, in a friendly against Uruguay. He was substituted for Botond Baráth in the 72nd minute.[35]

On 1 June 2021, Szalai was included in the final 26-man squad to represent Hungary at the rescheduled UEFA Euro 2020 tournament.[36]

On 17 November 2022, Szalai scored his first international goal against Luxembourg, in a friendly match played at the Stade de Luxembourg in Gasperich, Luxembourg City.[37][38][39]

Although he was not a regular player in Freiburg, Rossi invited him to play against Turkey and Kosovo in March 2024.[40][41]

Personal life

Szalai is the third most popular sportsperson in Hungary, based on followers on Instagram.[42]

In an interview with Nemzeti Sport, his father, also named Attila Szalai, said that in a transfer the most important factor is not the money, but being happy with the move.[43]

On 27 December 2022, he played an important role before the match against Hatayspor by holding a picture of a 6-year-old boy who suffers from Leukemia.[44] In this way, Mustafa Roni Güclü could 'participate' in the match.

He donated blood to the victims of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake along with other footballers of Fenerbahçe.[45]

His nickname is Sancho (in Hungarian: Szancsó).[46]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 30 March 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup[a] Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rapid Wien 2015–16 Austrian Bundesliga 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
Rapid Wien II 2015–16 Regionalliga Ost 20 1 0 0 — 20 1
2016–17 23 0 0 0 — 23 0
Total 43 1 0 0 — 43 1
Mezőkövesd 2017–18 Nemzeti Bajnokság I 20 0 2 0 — 22 0
2018–19 25 2 5 0 — 30 2
Total 45 2 7 0 — 52 2
Apollon Limassol 2019–20 Cypriot First Division 14 0 3 0 7[b] 2 24 2
2020–21 16 2 0 0 3[b] 1 19 3
Total 30 2 3 0 10 3 43 5
Fenerbahçe 2020–21 Süper Lig 21 3 1 0 — 22 3
2021–22 31 1 2 0 10[c] 0 43 1
2022–23 32 2 6 0 14[d] 1 52 3
Total 84 6 9 0 24 1 117 7
TSG Hoffenheim 2023–24 Bundesliga 4 0 1 0 — 5 0
SC Freiburg (loan) 2023–24 Bundesliga 3 0 — — 3 0
Career total 207 11 20 0 34 4 261 16
  1. ^ Includes Magyar Kupa, Cypriot Cup, Turkish Cup and DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Eight appearances in UEFA Europa League, two appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  4. ^ Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, twelve appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

As of match played 26 March 2024[47]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Hungary 2019 1 0
2020 7 0
2021 15 0
2022 8 1
2023 10 0
2024 2 0
Total 43 1
As of match played on 20 June 2023[47]
Scores and results list Hungary's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Szalai goal.
List of international goals scored by Attila Szalai
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 17 November 2022 Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg 30  Luxembourg 1–1 2–2 Friendly

Honours

Fenerbahçe

AKA RAPİD WİEN U16

  • ÖFB Jugendliga U16: 2013-14

References

  1. ^ "UEFA Nations League 2021: Booking List before League phase Matchday 6" (PDF). UEFA. 16 November 2020. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Attila Szalai". Fenerbahçe S.K. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Foci eredmények, Foci hírek". Rangadó (in Hungarian). Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Rapid Vienna vs. Rheindorf Altach - 11 May 2016 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Mezőkövesd: U-válogatott védő érkezett Ausztriából – hivatalos". nemzetisport.hu.
  6. ^ "Ferencváros vs. Mezőkövesd - 30 July 2017 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Mezőkövesd vs. Paks - 21 July 2018 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Újpest vs. Mezőkövesd - 18 August 2018 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Hivatalos: EL-induló csapathoz igazolt a magyar utánpótlás-válogatott védő". csakfoci.hu.
  10. ^ "Galatasaray: a magyar válogatott alapemberét vinnék januárban – sajtóhír". nemzetisport.hu.
  11. ^ "Fenerbahçemize hoş geldin Attila Szalai!" [Welcome to Fenerbahçe, Attila Szalai!] (in Turkish). Fenerbahçe S.K. 17 January 2021.
  12. ^ "Fenerbahçe vs. Kayserispor - 25 January 2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  13. ^ "Konyaspor vs. Fenerbache - 8 March 2021". Soccerway.
  14. ^ "Kasimpasa vs. Fenerbahce - 28 February 2022". Soccerway.
  15. ^ "Summary - Süper Lig - Türkiye - Results, fixtures, tables and news". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Fenerbahce vs. Konyaspor - 25 February 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Fatih Karagümrük vs. Fenerbahce - 10 April 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  18. ^ "FENERBAHÇE A.Ş. MEDİPOL BAŞAKŞEHİR FK - Maç Detayları TFF". TFF. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  19. ^ "Fenerbahce vs. Istanbul Basaksehir - 11 June 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  20. ^ nemzetisport.hu (17 July 2023). "Fordulat: a Kicker szerint Szalai nem lesz az Union Berlin játékosa". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Szalai wechselt nicht zu Union". kicker (in German). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  22. ^ "Yolun açık olsun Attila Szalai" (in Turkish). Fenerbahçe S.K. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  23. ^ "Futbolcumuz Attila Szalai'nin transferi hk" (in Turkish). KAP. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  24. ^ "There is a new SZALAI in town". YouTube (in German). TSG Hoffenheim. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  25. ^ "Hoffenheim vs. Freiburg - 19 August 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  26. ^ "Heidenheim vs. Hoffenheim - 26 August 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  27. ^ "Hoffenheim vs. Wolfsburg - 2 September 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  28. ^ "Bundesliga: Sallai csapatát kiütötték, Szalaiék hátrányból felállva". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). 2 September 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  29. ^ "Attila Szalai joins SC Freiburg on loan". SC Freiburg. 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Bundesliga: Szalai Attila a Freiburgban folytatja – hivatalos". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 21 January 2024. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Szalai vor Leihe von Hoffenheim nach Freiburg". kicker (in German). Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  32. ^ ""Skurrile Situation": Freiburgs Szalai-Leihe fix". kicker (in German). Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  33. ^ "Freiburg: „Furcsa volt, ilyenben még nem volt részem" – a sportigazgató Szalai Attila átigazolásáról". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 21 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  34. ^ "Werder Bremen vs. Freiburg - 27 January 2024 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  35. ^ "Hungary v Uruguay game report". ESPN. 15 November 2019.
  36. ^ "Válogatott: a Puskás Akadémia két játékosa és Szoboszlai Dominik maradt ki az Eb-keretből" (in Hungarian). 1 June 2021.
  37. ^ "Luxembourg vs. Hungary - 17 November 2022". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  38. ^ "Felkészülés: döntetlenre végeztünk Luxemburgban - NSO". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). 17 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  39. ^ "Videó: a védők összehozták, Orbán beadásából Szalai fejelt gólt - N". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). 17 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  40. ^ "Hungary vs. Türkiye - 22 March 2024 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  41. ^ "Hungary vs. Kosovo - 26 March 2024 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  42. ^ nemzetisport.hu (14 July 2023). "Dzsudzsák továbbra is az első, Hosszú a legnépszerűbb sportolónőnk". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  43. ^ nemzetisport.hu (4 May 2023). "Idősebb Szalai Attila: Soha nem érdekelt egyikünket sem a pénz". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  44. ^ nemzetisport.hu (27 December 2022). "Képek: Szalai Attila és klubja segítségével "vett részt" egy leukém". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  45. ^ nemzetisport.hu (16 February 2023). "Szalai Attiláék véradást szerveztek a földrengés áldozatainak". NSO.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  46. ^ "Szoboszlai: Milosnak három nyelven is elmondtuk, ne csináljon hülyeséget, erre kiállították". telex (in Hungarian). 18 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  47. ^ a b "Attila Szalai". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
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