1. Early Life and Playing Career
Szabolcs Huszti's early life saw him develop through Hungarian youth football before making his mark as a professional player, notably through a pivotal loan spell that solidified his presence in the sport.
1.1. Early Life and Youth Career
Szabolcs Huszti was born on April 18, 1983, in Miskolc, Hungary. He began his football journey in the youth ranks, starting his formative years at Tapolca Bauxit before joining the youth academy of the prominent Hungarian club Ferencváros.
1.2. Professional Debut and Breakthrough
Huszti made his professional debut with Ferencvárosi TC. Following a solitary first-team appearance, he was loaned out to fellow top-flight Hungarian team FC Sopron in December 2003. During this crucial six-month period, he demonstrated his potential by scoring six goals in 14 appearances. His impressive performance led to his recall to Ferencváros for the 2004-05 season, where he immediately made an impact by scoring on his return against Győr, establishing himself as a regular starter for the club.
2. Club Career
Szabolcs Huszti's professional club career spanned several countries and leagues, demonstrating his adaptability and consistent performance as a versatile midfielder.
2.1. Ferencváros and FC Metz
Huszti's tenure in his native country did not extend beyond the 2004-05 season despite his burgeoning success. Although he attracted interest from prominent clubs like Rangers and West Bromwich Albion, he eventually transferred to FC Metz in France's Ligue 1 in the summer of 2005. His time at Metz proved challenging, as he found limited opportunities on the field, and the club endured a difficult season, culminating in their relegation. This prompted another move for Huszti after just one season in France.
2.2. First Spell at Hannover 96
In July 2006, Huszti made a significant move to German Bundesliga club Hannover 96 for a fee of just 210.00 K GBP. He made his Bundesliga debut on August 13, 2006, against then-champions Werder Bremen. Huszti quickly became a permanent fixture in the team due to his versatility, playing effectively in both wide positions (despite being naturally left-footed), in central midfield, or even as an advanced attacker. In his first season, he scored six goals, with one of the most memorable being the decisive goal in a shocking 1-0 away victory against Bayern Munich. He continued to be a formidable opponent for Bayern, scoring from a wonderfully curved free kick in Hannover's 1-0 win at the start of the 2008-09 season, ending a 20-year drought for Hannover against Bayern at home.
During the 2007-08 season, Huszti cemented his status as a key player for Hannover, who maintained a strong position in the upper half of the league table. He was considered one of the most prominent midfielders in the German top division, playing all but one match and scoring ten goals. Over his three and a half years in his first spell at Hannover, he made 81 appearances and scored 17 goals.
2.3. Zenit St. Petersburg
On February 1, 2009, Szabolcs Huszti transferred to FC Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia, primarily to replace Andrei Arshavin, who had moved to Arsenal. Zenit's offer of 2.50 M EUR outbid Glasgow Celtic, who had also shown strong interest in signing him during the transfer period. Huszti joined Zenit's training camp in Turkey in early February 2009. He scored in his first official game for the club on February 18, 2009, finding the net after just 1 minute and 53 seconds in a UEFA Cup match against VfB Stuttgart. He made his Russian Premier League debut two months later, coming on as a substitute against FC Lokomotiv Moscow.
2.4. Return to Hannover 96 and Chinese Super League
On July 23, 2012, Huszti returned to Hannover 96, signing a three-year contract that extended until June 2015. His second spell at the German club began with an immediate impact; in his very first match back against VfL Wolfsburg, he provided four assists.
On July 16, 2014, Hannover 96 announced Huszti's transfer to the Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai. He debuted for the Chinese club on July 26, 2014, in a 2-2 home draw against Beijing Guoan. On August 3, he scored his first goal for Changchun, helping secure a 2-1 victory over defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
2.5. Eintracht Frankfurt and Final Playing Years
On December 30, 2015, Huszti signed an 18-month contract with Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt, marking his return to German football.
In 2017, Huszti received an offer to return to his former club, Changchun Yatai. German media reported that his salary would be 3.30 M EUR annually. He made his second debut for Changchun on March 12, 2017, in a 1-0 away defeat to Guangzhou R&F. On April 9, he scored his first goal in his second spell for Yatai, a direct free kick in a 1-1 home draw against Liaoning Whowin. Unfortunately, on July 22, 2017, during a 3-2 away defeat at Shandong Luneng, Huszti accidentally injured his knees towards the end of the game, which prematurely ended both his season and his second stint with Yatai.
On January 11, 2018, after twelve and a half years playing abroad, Huszti returned to his home country and joined Videoton FC (now known as Fehérvár FC). On April 7, he scored his first league goal for the club from a free kick against Újpest in a 3-0 league victory. In the 2018-19 season, the team reached the group stage of the UEFA Europa League, finishing third in their group. During his first full season with Videoton, he also won the Magyar Kupa. Szabolcs Huszti officially retired from professional football in 2020 following a knee surgery.
3. International Career
Szabolcs Huszti was a regular member of the Hungarian national team, though his international career was marked by both significant contributions and controversy.
3.1. Senior National Team Debut and Early Success
Huszti was first called up to the Hungary national team during his loan spell at Sopron, under then-manager Lothar Matthäus. He made his senior international debut on April 25, 2004, in a friendly match against Japan, a game he marked with a goal. His early success continued in August 2004 when he scored two goals in a "Man of the Match" performance away against Scotland, contributing to Hungary's 3-0 victory.
3.2. Controversies and International Retirement
Huszti's international career faced a setback in June 2007 when then-manager Péter Várhidi suspended him from the national team until the end of the year. This disciplinary action was taken after Huszti walked out of a training camp prior to two UEFA Euro 2008 qualifiers. Huszti stated that his departure was due to uncertainty about whether he would be named as a starter.
He eventually made a comeback for his country on February 6, 2008, in a 1-1 draw against Slovakia. However, on September 9, 2010, Huszti announced his retirement from the national team. He published an open letter following a Euro 2012 qualification match against Moldova, citing his desire to focus on his club career and his dissatisfaction with the prevailing atmosphere surrounding the national side as key reasons for his decision. Following this announcement, former Hungarian international and Hertha BSC midfielder, Pál Dárdai, suggested discussions between Huszti and Hungarian national team manager Sándor Egervári, emphasizing Huszti's importance as one of Hungary's best players and his potential utility for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Years later, when the Hungarian national team qualified for UEFA Euro 2016, Huszti reiterated his stance that he had no intention of returning to the team.
4. Playing Style
Szabolcs Huszti was widely recognized for his dynamic and impactful playing style, primarily as a midfielder. He was well known for his exceptional dribbling ability, which allowed him to navigate tight spaces and beat defenders. His notable pace enabled him to quickly transition from defense to attack and exploit open areas on the field. Huszti also possessed excellent passing range and accuracy, making him a key player in building offensive plays and delivering crucial assists. Furthermore, he demonstrated a strong goal-scoring ability from midfield, often contributing vital goals through powerful shots or expertly taken free kicks, particularly with his preferred left foot. His versatility allowed him to be adept in both wide positions, central midfield, or even as an advanced attacker, making him a permanent fixture in the teams he played for.
5. Managerial Career
After retiring as a professional footballer, Szabolcs Huszti transitioned into coaching, taking on various managerial roles in Hungarian football.
On February 16, 2021, he was appointed as a manager of Debreceni VSC alongside Gábor Toldi. His managerial debut came in February 2021 during the 2020-21 Nemzeti Bajnokság II, where he guided Debreceni VSC to a convincing 5-0 victory over Szeged-Csanád Grosics Akadémia at the Szent Gellért Fórum.
On October 17, 2022, Huszti was appointed as the coach of Fehérvár FC. On December 6, 2022, the club announced a technical switch in roles between Huszti and his assistant, Gábor Toldi, with Toldi formally becoming the head coach. However, Huszti effectively remained the de facto manager, retaining authority over final decisions. His tenure at Fehérvár FC concluded on March 14, 2023, when he was removed from his position due to the team's negative performance.
6. Achievements and Honours
Szabolcs Huszti achieved several significant titles and individual accolades throughout his distinguished playing career.
6.1. Club Honours
- Ferencváros
- Hungarian League: Runner-up - 2002-03, 2004-05
- Hungarian Cup: Runner-up - 2004-05
- Zenit St. Petersburg
- Russian Premier League: 2010, 2011-12
- Russian Cup: 2009-10
- Russian Super Cup: 2011
- Videoton
- Nemzeti Bajnokság I: 2017-18
- Hungarian Cup: 2018-19
6.2. Individual Awards
- Young Hungarian Player of the Year: 2004
- Hungarian Football Federation nominated as best domestic footballer of the year: 2006, 2013
7. Career Statistics
Szabolcs Huszti's career statistics reflect his extensive playing time across various clubs and his consistent involvement with the Hungarian national team.
7.1. Club Statistics
Statistics correct as of 28 September 2019
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Ferencváros | |||||||||
| 2003-04 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2004-05 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 | |
| Total | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 3 | |
| FC Sopron (loan) | |||||||||
| 2003-04 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 6 | |
| FC Metz | |||||||||
| 2005-06 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | |
| Hannover 96 | |||||||||
| 2006-07 | 31 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 5 | |
| 2007-08 | 33 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 10 | |
| 2008-09 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 | |
| Total | 81 | 17 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 87 | 18 | |
| Zenit St. Petersburg | |||||||||
| 2009 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 3 | |
| 2010 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 2 | |
| 2011-12 | 26 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 4 | |
| Total | 58 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 68 | 9 | |
| Hannover 96 | |||||||||
| 2012-13 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 34 | 14 | |
| 2013-14 | 30 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 11 | |
| Total | 51 | 19 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 5 | 66 | 25 | |
| Changchun Yatai | |||||||||
| 2014 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 6 | |
| Total | 39 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 9 | |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | |||||||||
| 2015-16 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2016-17 | 15 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 | |
| Total | 30 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 3 | |
| Changchun Yatai | |||||||||
| 2017 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 4 | |
| Total | 16 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 4 | |
| Videoton | |||||||||
| 2017-18 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2018-19 | 27 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 47 | 11 | |
| 2019-20 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 2 | |
| Total | 43 | 7 | 9 | 4 | 15 | 3 | 67 | 14 | |
| Career total | 374 | 76 | 27 | 6 | 31 | 10 | 432 | 92 | |
7.2. International Statistics
As of 3 September 2010
| Season | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 3 |
| 2005 | 10 | 1 |
| 2006 | 8 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 | 10 | 0 |
| 2009 | 8 | 1 |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 51 | 7 |
7.2.1. International Goals
Scores and results list Hungary's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 25 April 2004 | ZTE Arena, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary | Japan | 3-2 | 3-2 | Friendly |
| 2. | 18 August 2004 | Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland | Scotland | 1-0 | 3-0 | Friendly |
| 3. | 2-0 | |||||
| 4. | 4 June 2005 | Laugardalsvöllur, Reykjavík, Iceland | Iceland | 3-2 | 3-2 | 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 5. | 24 May 2006 | Szusza Ferenc Stadion, Budapest, Hungary | New Zealand | 1-0 | 2-0 | Friendly |
| 6. | 6 September 2006 | Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1-0 | 3-1 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualification |
| 7. | 5 September 2009 | Ferenc Puskás Stadium, Budapest, Hungary | Sweden | 1-1 | 1-2 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |