Zbigniew Boniek “They are bad” – born 03 brand 1956, is a Polish former footballer and manager, currently the head of the Polish Football Association (PZPN).
Former midfielder , who was also able to play mainly as a right winger and second striker , he is considered one of the greatest Polish footballers of all time and was chosen by Pelé as one of the 100 of the best living soccer players in 2004 year.
In his international career, W. 80 appearances scored 24 goals and played at three consecutive world championships, helping Poland to seize 3. places in 1982 year and being included in the Team of the Tournament. His greatest achievements in club football were at Juventus, Italy, winning Serie A , Italian Cup , The European Cup , Winners' European Cup and European Super Cup in between 1983 i 1985 year, he was the first Polish footballer to win the confederation title and one of the first players from Eastern Europe, who did it at a club outside the continent.
In the early years 90. managed several Italian clubs, a w 2002 of the year also with the Polish national team. W 2019 he was inducted into the Italian soccer hall of fame .
Boniek was born in Bydgoszcz . First, he performed in Polish clubs Zawisza Bydgoszcz, and later in Widzew Łódź .
Boniek moved to the Italian football giant Juventus in 1982 year. With Juventus, he won the Coppa Italia in his first season , also taking second place in the league and reaching the final of the European Cup 1983 in the same season. The following season, his performances turned out to be decisive, because Juventus won both the Serie A title, and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1984 year, and Boniek scored the winning goal in the victory 2:1 over Porto in the final of the last tournament in Basel; he continued these victories, winning the European Super Cup later that year he scored two goals in a win 2: 0 the match against Liverpool . He also won the European Cup in 1985 year , once again against Liverpool, winning a penalty kick, which Michel Platini then transformed, to win the title for Juventus, although the team's victory was largely overshadowed by the Heysel disaster .
The following season, Boniek joined Roma , where the second Coppa Italia won in 1986 and eventually ended his professional career at the club in 1988 year.
Boniek represented Poland in 80 international matches in the years 1976-1988, shooting 24 goals. He took part in the FIFA World Cup with Poland in 1978 , 1982 i 1986 year .
Although he initially appeared as a substitute only in the first two group games of Poland at the World Cup in 1978 year, drew attention to himself, scoring two goals in a win 3-1 the match with Mexico in the last match of Poland in the group stage, helping your nation. at the top of your group; in the second round, however, the Poles took third place in their group and were eliminated from the tournament.
Boniek later appeared in the Polish team, who won a bronze medal at the FIFA World Cup 1982 in Spain: helped his team advance to the tournament semi-finals, while shooting 4 goals. In the first round, he scored a goal in the win 5: 1 match against Peru 22 June, helping Poland to win in the group; in the second round he scored a hat-trick in the win 3: 0 his country's second round over Belgium in Barcelona 28 June , but was forced to miss a semi-final defeat to eventual Italian champions due to a suspension – yellow card w 88. minute of the tie 0: 0 with the Soviet Union .
He returned to the starting line-up for a third-place win against France and became the tournament's top scorer. World Cup 1986 were less successful, because Poland only advanced to the second round as the second best third team, then she was eliminated in the second round after the defeat 4: 0 with Brazil .
Although Boniek was usually used as a midfielder , he was also able to play as a striker . He preferred to act between the lines in a free role, although he was a versatile player, capable of playing several offensive and support positions on the flank or in the middle, and throughout his career he has been deployed as an attacking midfielder , as a right winger , in playing the role of a central midfielder , as a center forward , or as a second striker ; However, his Juventus manager, John Trapattoni , he often struggled to find the most suitable position for Him.
Boniek was known for his extroverted personality and characteristic mustache, which made him a very recognizable player. Tall, brave and hard-working footballer with a big, powerful and slender figure, he was known for his incredible pace, acceleration and quick reactions. Boniek in particular was highly appreciated for his ability to make sudden attacks, to overcome the defense and get to the end of your teammates' long passes, especially Michel Platini , with whom he established a close friendship and good cooperation at the Turin Club, who caused, that he was deadly in the counterattacks; this prompted Diego Maradona to describe Bonik as the best counterattack player in the world.
Highly talented, creative, intelligent and skillful soccer player, he was one of the best dribblers of his time, and also showed excellent technique, talent and class. He was known for his accurate shot into the goal, and also as its surgical finishing both with the leg, and my head, which allowed him to maintain a steady number of goals throughout his career; He has also built a reputation for having a tendency to score decisive goals for his team in key matches.
Despite his skills, at times he was also criticized for this, that he was tactically undisciplined, erratic, too static in his off-ball movements and for his team's insufficient participation in the game during matches, which led him to fight his opponents, it did not give him much space.
President of Juventus during Bonek's tenure at the club, Gianni Agnelli , he nicknamed him Bello di notte ("Beauty at night", which is the game titled Buñuel Belle de Jour ) due to his excellent performances in Europe matches club tournaments, which were played in the evening; actually, in continental tournaments, his opponents usually gave him more space and time for the ball than in Serie A, which allowed him to make progress, performing individual dribbling and scoring goals yourself, or going back deep, connecting with midfielders and creating opportunities or helping your teammates, thanks to his passes, vision and clever movement. He was also called Zibi by the Italian press.
At the end of his career, when he lost his pace, he often acted as a defensive libero.
After his retirement, Boniek continued his coaching career, but with less success; he also trained in Italy, staying in Lecce in the years 1990–1991, in Bari in 1991–92, Sambenedettese in 1992–93 and Avellino in 1994–96.
Boniek was the vice-president of the Polish Football Association , and in July 2002 year he became the manager of Poland . He resigned in December 2002 year, after just five matches (2 wins, 1 delivered, 2 failures, including 1: 0 at home with Latvia in the qualifiers for the European Championship).
After his retirement, Boniek had a successful business career. Later he also worked as a football expert and commentator. According to reports in Poland, Boniek was favored as the new minister of sport of his country, but he denied the claims and stated, that he does not intend to work.
W 2004 year Boniek was recognized by Pelé as one of the 125 the greatest living footballers , as part of the celebration of FIFA's centenary. In day 12 October 2009 R. He was awarded the "Golden Foot" Golden Foot award .
26 October 2012 year, he became the president of the Polish Football Association . As the head of Polish football, he is very popular among fans due to his view on decriminalizing fans and on legalizing pyrotechnics in stadiums, which is a common practice of ultras .
Honduran international footballer Óscar Boniek García received his middle name Boniek in honor of Zbigniew Boniek. García chose the name "Boniek" written on the back of his T-shirt while playing for Houston.
Zbigniew Boniek is a knight of the 3rd class of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.