Hungarian Players in the 2025/26 Champions League: National Pride and International Success

Introduction

The 2025/26 season marks a new chapter in the history of the UEFA Champions League. For the first time, the tournament adopts the Swiss-table format, replacing the traditional group stage. Thirty-six clubs now play in a single league, each facing eight different opponents. The season begins in July, the league phase runs from September to January, and after the knockout rounds, the final will be held on May 30, 2026, in Budapest at the Puskás Aréna (source: uefa.com). Hosting the biggest match in European club football is already an honor for Hungary, but it becomes even more special knowing that several Hungarian players will take the pitch in this year’s competition.

Hungary has always contributed outstanding talents to world football, but it is rare to see multiple Hungarians at top European clubs competing simultaneously in the Champions League. In this new format, Hungarian players appear in the squads of Liverpool FC, Arsenal, and Galatasaray, alongside a Swedish international striker with Hungarian roots. The following sections highlight their journeys, achievements, and why they make Hungarian fans proud.

The New Format and the Budapest Final

The 2025/26 edition introduces the Swiss system league stage. Thirty-six clubs were divided into four seeding pots, with each team drawn to face eight opponents (four home, four away). The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16, while teams placed 9th–24th fight through a playoff for the remaining spots (source: uefa.com). This creates more high-profile matches and variety for fans across Europe.

Most importantly for Hungarians, the 71st Champions League Final will be played in Budapest’s Puskás Aréna (source: uefa.com). Since its opening in 2019, this iconic stadium has hosted major events like the 2020 UEFA Super Cup and the 2023 Europa League Final, but this is the first time it will welcome the UCL Final. According to MLSZ President Sándor Csányi, winning the hosting rights is recognition of Hungary’s organizational excellence and could inspire further growth in domestic football (source: hungarianconservative.com). Beyond being a stadium, the Puskás Aréna serves as a symbol connecting Hungary’s footballing past with its promising future.

Our Hungarians at Liverpool FC

Dominik Szoboszlai – Captain of the National Team, Engine of the Reds

Joining Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2023, Dominik Szoboszlai quickly became a vital part of the squad. At Leipzig, he tallied 20 goals and 22 assists in 91 appearances, winning two DFB-Pokal trophies (source: liverpoolfc.com). In his first season on Merseyside, he scored seven goals, won the Player of the Month award, and lifted the Carabao Cup. Appointed Hungary’s national team captain at just 22, he continues to lead with vision, technique, and set-piece mastery. For him, playing a UCL Final in Budapest would be the ultimate dream.

Milos Kerkez – Explosive Left-Back Discovery

Signed in summer 2025 from AFC Bournemouth, Kerkez had already played 74 Premier League matches, contributing two goals and eight assists (source: liverpoolfc.com). Discovered at Győr before moving to AZ Alkmaar, he became eligible for Hungary through his grandmother. At 20, he debuted for the national team at Euro 2024, the youngest Hungarian to feature at a major tournament in six decades. Nominated for Golden Boy and Premier League Young Player awards, Kerkez represents the next generation of elite full-backs.

Ármin Pécsi – Young Goalkeeper for the Future

Liverpool’s newest Hungarian is 20-year-old goalkeeper Ármin Pécsi, signed in June 2025 from Puskás Akadémia (source: liverpoolfc.com). With 30 starts in Hungary’s top flight and a Golden Boy nomination, he brings composure, reflexes, and distribution skills. Though learning behind Alisson, his trajectory shows he may soon guard the posts in European competition.

Viktor Gyökeres – Swedish Striker with Hungarian Roots at Arsenal

Arsenal’s star signing Viktor Gyökeres has Hungarian ancestry through his grandfather, who emigrated to Sweden after 1956 (source: arsenal.com). While he represents Sweden internationally, Hungarian fans proudly claim a connection. After a breakout season at Sporting CP with 40+ goals, he joined Arsenal in 2025, becoming a key striker under Mikel Arteta. In his first two UCL appearances, he registered a crucial assist and showcased his trademark “binocular” goal celebration (source: arsenal.com, uefa.com).

Roland Sallai – Hungarian International at Galatasaray

At 27, Roland Sallai now plays for Turkish giants Galatasaray, continuing his journey from Puskás Akadémia through Palermo, APOEL, and Freiburg. Known for his technique and work rate, he achieved 96% pass accuracy in his first two UCL matches this season (source: uefa.com). A hero of Hungary’s famous 4–0 win over England in the 2022 Nations League, Sallai remains a cornerstone of the national team and now contributes to Galatasaray’s European ambitions.

Why This Matters for Hungary

• Inspiration for youth – Kerkez and Pécsi prove that Hungarian academies can produce players for the Premier League.
• Global recognition – Szoboszlai, as national captain and Liverpool leader, embodies Hungarian football’s credibility.
• Cultural pride – Gyökeres’ roots and Kerkez’s heritage highlight Hungary’s lasting influence.
• Budapest’s showcase – Hosting the UCL Final brings economic benefits, boosts tourism, and places Hungary on the global stage.

Looking Ahead

While Gulácsi and Orbán miss this edition with RB Leipzig absent, and Gulácsi has retired from international duty (source: hungarianconservative.com), new talents are emerging domestically. Names like Zalán Vancsa (Fehérvár) and Tamás Baráth (Ferencváros) may soon follow in Szoboszlai’s footsteps, continuing Hungary’s rising trend in European football.

Conclusion

The 2025/26 Champions League season is extraordinary for Hungary: not only will the final be played in Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, but Hungarian players are already shining on Europe’s biggest stage.

Szoboszlai Dominik: Liverpool’s midfield leader, Hungary’s captain.
Milos Kerkez: Dynamic left-back and rising star.
Ármin Pécsi: Promising young goalkeeper learning at Anfield.
Viktor Gyökeres: Arsenal’s striker with Hungarian heritage.
Roland Sallai: National team stalwart now at Galatasaray.

Hungarian fans can dream of seeing these stars in Budapest in May. Whether Liverpool faces Real Madrid, Arsenal battles Bayern Munich, or Galatasaray meets Barcelona, one thing is clear: these matchups are purely fictional examples, used only to illustrate scenarios, not predictions of real fixtures. Regardless of the draw, Hungary has already won—its players are proudly competing at the pinnacle of European football.