Born in Pécs,[1] Dárdai began his professional career with local Pécsi Mecsek FC, moving in January 1996 to Budapesti VSC.

[4][5] He expressed his wish to further extend his link, stating, "I can imagine that I will end my career here in Berlin, but before I return to Hungary I want to fulfil my ambition and that is to win the championship and the cup."

[6] Dárdai helped The Old Lady qualify several times for the UEFA Cup, appearing sparingly from 2004 to 2006 (33 total matches) but featuring heavily in the following years.

He made his senior debut in a friendly against Slovenia on 19 August 1998, and scored his first international goal on 10 October in an UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier against Azerbaijan, in the 58th minute of a 4–0 triumph.

[7] Often cast as starting central midfielder alongside Krisztián Lisztes, under managers Bertalan Bicskei and Imre Gellei, Dárdai captained the national side seven times in 2006, netting twice.

[11][12] He turned down an offer from the Hungarian Football Federation ("MLSZ") to manage the side on a permanent basis,[13] with the former's president Sándor Csányi confirming the latter would be in charge of three Euro 2016 qualifying matches for free.

"[19] On 14 November 2014, Hungary won their first home match under Dárdai by beating Finland 1–0 thanks to Zoltán Gera's 84th-minute goal in the Euro 2016 qualifier at the Groupama Arena in Budapest.

[20] The following month, the MLSZ announced Dárdai would remain as manager until 30 November 2015,[21][22][23] and he admitted that his son influenced him in making the decision by saying, "You have to return because without you they are not going to win.

[25] In November 2015, Hungary under Storck qualified for the UEFA European Championship after a 44-year absence, and Dárdai stated in an interview with Hertha's official website that he built the base of the team while his successor added his part to reach the finals.

[40] On 20 July 2002, Balázs Dárdai, his brother and a midfielder for FC Barcs, died during a tournament after an artery burst when he jumped for a ball.