[3][4][5] Kubala was noted for his quick and skilful dribbling, composed and powerful finishing, and accuracy from free kicks.

Before joining Hungary’s amateur team, he had signed unsuccessfully for Italian side Pro Patria , but FIFA prevented him from making his debut in an official match .

FIFA also feared that authorising Kubala’s signing for a Spanish team could provoke a withdrawal from all the football federations of the countries of Eastern Europe, at the height of political tension during the “cold war”.

In 1946, Kubala moved to Czechoslovakia, allegedly to avoid military service,[citation needed] and joined Slovan Bratislava.

In 1948, Kubala returned to Hungary, again to allegedly avoid military service,[citation needed] and joined Vasas.

In January 1949, as Hungary was occupied by the Soviet Union and became a communist satellite state, Kubala fled the country in the back of a truck.

Initially, he arrived in the United States zone of Allied-occupied Austria and then moved on to Italy, where he played briefly for Pro Patria.

Meanwhile, the Hungarian Football Federation accused Kubala of breach of contract, leaving the country without permission, and failure to do military service.

In January 1950, Kubala, with Ferdinand Daučík as coach, formed his own team, Hungaria, which was made up of fellow refugees fleeing Eastern Europe.

This included 7 goals in a 9–0 win over Sporting de Gijón, five against Celta Vigo and hat-tricks against Sevilla and Racing Santander.

However, he made a miraculous recovery and returned to help Barcelona retain both La Liga and the Copa del Generalísimo.

In 1958, Kubala persuaded two fellow Hungarian refugees Sándor Kocsis and Zoltán Czibor to join him at Barcelona.

On 21 October 1953, England played a Europe XI at Wembley Stadium to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Football Association and Kubala scored twice in the 4–4 draw.

In 1966, he joined Zürich, again as player-coach, and made his last appearance in a European Cup game against the competition's eventual winners, Celtic.

In 1967, Kubala went to Canada, where at Toronto Falcons he enjoyed something of family reunion with his father-in-law, Ferdinand Daučík, his brother-in-law, Yanko Daucik and his son Branko.

He subsequently managed three other La Liga clubs, including Málaga, whom he guided to the Segunda División title in 1988.