Zbigniew Boniek Profile

A superb player who was considered amongst the world's greatest footballers in the early 1980s. Great dribbling skills and technique, combined with blistering pace, particularly his speed off the mark, made him extremely dangerous, and his surging runs from midfield would prove a nightmare for defenders. He was intelligent and hard-working too, and all of these attributed meant that he was capable of playing in any number of attacking positions, be it out wide on the wing, or as an attacking midfielder, or as a second striker. Boniek himself preferred a central free role, moving between the lines to pick up the ball before his trademark surging runs at defences.

At club level he's best known for his time with Juventus, appearing alongside Michel Platini as one of the club's two allowed foreign players, helping the club secure their first ever European Cup in 1985. His form for Juventus in these midweek European matches led to the club's president, Gianni Agnelli, nicknaming him "Bello di notte" (Beauty at night).

At international level he really made a name for himself at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, his fantastic performances helping Poland to an impressive third place.