Calendar page: Adam Musiał was born 75 years ago

75 years ago - on December 18, 1948 - Adam Musiał, the legendary defender and coach of Wisła Kraków, one of the Górski Eagles, was born.

Adam Musiał was born on December 18, 1948, in Wieliczka. He joined Wisła at the age of 19 and quickly found his place in the team, despite joining a team with many experienced defenders. Musiał was an uncompromising and feisty player and person. On the pitch, he never gave up, often playing hard, even brutally, but he also demonstrated great determination and courage. These traits earned him the respect of fans and teammates. His opponents undoubtedly respected him as well; as he himself recalled, "they were afraid to play on my side."

Adam Musiał made his debut for the Polish national team in 1968, and played a total of 34 times. His greatest success with the White Eagle on his chest was third place at the 1974 World Championships.

Musiał played for Wisła for 10 years. He became Polish Champion in 1978, although he only played twice in the autumn round – he later moved to Arka Gdynia. With that team, he won the Polish Cup in 1979, defeating Wisła in the final. After a short stay on the Polish coast, Musiał finished his football career abroad, initially playing for Hereford in England and then for Eagle Yonkers New York in the United States.

After returning to Poland, he began coaching Wisła, initially as an assistant and later as first-team coach. In 1991, he led the White Star to third place in the league, an outstanding achievement at the time (and earned Musiał the title of Polish Coach of the Year in the "Piłka Nożna" poll). He also managed Lechia Gdańsk and Stal Stalowa Wola. He later remained associated with Wisła for many years, including as stadium administrator. Adam Musiał passed away in 2020 and is buried in the Alley of the Meritorious at Rakowicki Cemetery.