Hungary’s association with football is identified in the ‘Golden Team’ that had shaped a revolutionary tactical system and put on display one of the biggest talents ever, Ferenc Puskas. In the modern era, it is ZSANETT JAKABFI who is trying to put Hungary back on the footballing map again through the women’s game. The Wolfsburg stalwart spoke to Gianluca Lia about her career at the German club and the future of women’s football…

In recent years, women’s football has made a huge leap forward with new stars emerging from various nations across the world, testament to the growth of this movement.

The introduction of new faces in the women’s game was also boosted by the continuous media exposure by FIFA and other governing bodies who have made it a priority to promote this movement.

Nonetheless, women’s football is also upgrading its status quo across the world courtesy of the contribution of veteran players who have been part of this evolution throughout the past years.

Zsanett Jakabfi, 28, is one of the players who has been plying her trade at the highest level of the game for almost a decade now and her contribution to the game was a valuable one in a holistic manner.

Jakabfi forms part of the Hungarian national team and although they do lack the competitive edge to make it to major finals, the midfielder is still considered as one of the most formidable figures in the women’s game.

At club level, Jakabfi features at VfL Wolfsburg of Germany, who are one of the best teams in the Old Continent.

They have finished as runners-up in the UEFA Women’s Champions League twice in the last four seasons with French giants Olympique Lyon defeating them on both occasions.

Earlier this year, the Hungarian player was on international duty, when the Magyars crossed swords with Malta in a double-header at the Centenary Stadium.

Hungary claimed the spoils in both games – 0-1 and 0-3 – with Jakabfi grabbing the all-important goal in their narrow victory.

Jakabfi was generally pleased about the fact that a small island like Malta was providing the opportunity to a lot of girls to be involved in the Beautiful Game.

“I think it is like an achievement for such a small island to have its own women’s football movement,” Jakabfi told the Times of Malta.

“As a team, they might lack that aggressiveness and experience in beating high-profile teams but overall I was impressed. They have players with a good quality level and they also have pace in their style of play.”

Asked about what Hungary requires in order to raise the bar, Jakabfi said that there should be more investment but at the same time, patience in developing the game.

“We have a decent league with some good clubs and players,” she explained.

“However, I think we need to export more players while giving playing time to young players in order to start to absorb senior football.”

Nonetheless, Jakabfi feels that the women’s game has embarked on the right path in particular when comparing the opportunities of today with those of her time.

“No doubt that nowadays girls have more opportunities to pursue their dream of playing football,” the Wolfsburg midfielder said.

“They have the chance to start training at big clubs from a young age, which is obviously a massive boost to their growth and to the movement overall.

“Moreover, an additional support from the football governing bodies – UEFA and FIFA – is crucial in upping our level.”

Jakabfi, who won the Hungarian title in 2005 with MTK Hungaria, moved to Germany in 2009.

As she explained, at that time the Bundesliga was not a reference point in women’s football, however, she feels that the club was already heading in the right direction.

“When I joined Wolfsburg in 2009, it was a great feeling for me,” Jakabfi said.

“At that time, Bundesliga was not the biggest league but Wolfsburg were was heading in the right direction when we started to clinch silverware and that success surely justified my move.

“We were crowned champions of Germany twice in a row in 2013 and 2014, managing to claim the double having also clinched the UEFA Women’s Champions League title…  amazing!.”

Women’s football in Germany has made huge strides forward in the past years. The Germany national team’s successes in major tournaments put the Bundesliga under the microscope and the league benefited from these success.

Moreover, the culture and the sense of equality that exists in the German clubs made sure to help the women players to feel more at home when they join any side in Germany.

“We are not based in a big city but we still feel like being part of a family because the club takes care of us a lot,” the Hungary international said.

“Lot of fans attend our games and the administrators also make sure that we are the face of the club, alongside the men’s team members as well.

“Germany has become one of the main reference points in our game and I think the same model is being emulated in other countries because nations like England and France are also improving a lot lately.”

Having been part of the German club for a long time, Jakabfi featured in several high-profile competitions which saw her share the field with some of the biggest names in the game.

“Definitely the players are getting better and better in Europe,” she admits.

“Lot of players are improving technically and that makes our games even harder.”

At Wolfsburg, Jakabfi plays alongside Pernille Harder, who earlier this year was named 2017/2018 UEFA Women’s Player of the Year.

Harder, a 25-year old Danish international, established herself as the best player in Europe despite a fierce competition from other competitors in particular Lyon’s Ada Hegerberg.

“I think she (Pernille Harder) is the best player right now because she is doing really well and that is reflecting our team,” Jakabfi explained.

“I am very angry that she missed on the top three for the recent FIFA Best Awards because she is a very skilful player, with great heading and scoring ability – a real game changer.”

Euro challengers

Wolfsburg are once again one of the main challengers for European glory, having missed out on it last year.

Yet, the quarter-final draw was not sweet with them as they will have to cross swords with the three-time holders Lyon.

“Well, I really hope we reach the final because this year it is going to be in Budapest, in my country,” Jakabfi said.

“Lyon have a very strong squad in particular because they have players from different cultures.

However, I think we have a very good squad of players and I think we are able to overcome this hurdle.”