BUDAPEST, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- A waxwork figure of Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Budapest on Tuesday, becoming the country's second footballer to feature at the museum after the legendary Ferenc Puskas.
The unveiling ceremony took place two days after Hungary's 3-2 defeat to Ireland at the Puskas Arena, a result that ended the team's aspiration to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hungary needed only a draw to secure a place in the playoffs, but Troy Parrott's goal in the 96th minute sealed Hungary's elimination.
Szoboszlai acknowledged the tough circumstances, stating that he was "not the happiest" upon arriving at the museum.
"Two days have passed, but honestly, it's still hard to accept what happened," he said. "Unfortunately, we have to live with it and move forward. There is surely a reason why this always happens to us, but we try to find positives even in the toughest moments. We had a chance until the end and believed we could reach the playoffs."
Despite the disappointment, Szoboszlai expressed his appreciation for the unveiling of his wax figure, which was created over several months by a London-based team. The figure depicts him wearing the national team's No. 10 jersey, a deliberate choice by the midfielder.
"I could have chosen between two versions, but I definitely wanted this one, in the national team jersey, and in this position. I don't think I need to explain what the national team means to me, or how it feels to step onto the pitch every time and give my all. That will never change," said the 25-year-old. ■
