Mustafa Hasanagic, legendary Partizan 60s number nine died last year on 12th of November and to mark his passing, his hometown of Priboj museum will stage exhibition of photos in memory of star striker who scored 355 goals over 337 appearances for Partizan. The exhibition opens on Thursday, November 14.
Hasanagic scored one of the best goals in European Cup ever and decades after his retirement there are no players who can chest and volley the ball into the net with his left or right-foot so skillfully. It`s clear what kind of forward he was.
Mustafa Hasanagic was born in Priboj on April 20, 1941. He was playing for Partizan in a period from 1961 until 1969, scoring 355 goals over 337 appearances.
He started plying his trade locally, at FK FAP Priboj. His talent and great striking abilities made Hasanagic popular outside his hometown. Partizan invited him for trial game away in Sisak and he scored two goals.
“After that game, I was taken to Knez Mihajlova Street, as soon as we returned to Belgrade. I signed my first contract and got a winter coat for it, bought in summertime”, Hasanagic remembered.
Partizan signed a top striker whose goals will get the club numerous wins and trophies as well as army of new support. Hasanagic was champion of Yugoslavia with Partizan in 1962, 1963 and 1966, while on the road to Champions Cup final he scored a total of six goals – starting with one each against Nantes and Werder, as well as one away in a shocking 4-1 defeat to Sparta Prague.
Return leg against Czechoslovakian champions would turn out to be one of Hasanagic`s best Partizan performances. He scored one goal in the first half and another after the break for a 5-0 trashing of Sparta. As a result, Hasanagic earned a chant from fans, comparing him with Sparta`s star player at the time – Kvasnak.
“I don`t remember the lines to the chant, it`s been a long time ago”, said Hasanagic couple of years ago.
But, he did remember his goal, as well as everyone who was able to see it did. Kovacevic and Hasanagic exchanged passes for most efficient Partizan goalscorer of all times to volley the ball into the net.
Two years prior, Hasanagic scored a home hat-trick against AC Milan, prompting Italian press to describe him as “player whose feet make balls rocket”.
His trademark moves were headers and volleys.
“I was not a towering forward at 5 ft 9 in. But, I had a good jumping ability and I loved heading the ball. As for the volley…it`s something I was given by birth but I kept improving it. I did score lots of headers and volleys”, said Hasanagic once.
Partizan`s greatest European season was also Hasanagic`s fully affirmative one. But, he never liked talking about it or pointing finger at anyone.
“Whenever we talk about that final and that season overall, I have mixed emotions. I`m happy as I was part of the big final and sad as we failed to lift European Cup trophy as we were better side on the night. Real was great back then as it is now but our performance, opportunities and 1-0 lead deserved better. For some reason we lost and sometimes I like to talk about it and sometimes I don`t”.
The following 1966/67 season, Hasanagic was Yugoslav league`s top goalscorer but he never enjoyed in bigger and better football days and maybe it was down to him, playing without shins with his socks down.
“It felt more comfortable, I felt lighter as a result, I simply felt better and I got used to it since my early playing days. Unfortunately, it led to my leg being broken in a game against Rijeka”.
As a result, his career was put on hold in 1968. The bone cracked and it mean a lengthy spell on the sidelines, a very long one in those days. Additionally, Hasanagic was struck by an illness and it looked like there`ll be no return to the field.
But, he did made a comeback, signing with Swiss side Servette. Hasanagic played a brilliant season there and one more with another Swiss outfit – Le Chaux-de-Fonds. Hasanagic was so good he was locally called King Mustafa.
Hasanagic hanged his boots in 1971, at the age of 30. There are very few players who ended their respective careers scoring more goals than the appearances made. It`s a feat nobody achieved in the region since.
“I scored against Santos, hat-trick against Milan, against Man UTD, Werder, Nantes...Journalists often asked which one was the best. Well, each one I scored against Crvena Zvezda”.
For some time, Hasanagic was player/coach in Syria followed by 70s coaching spell at Turkish club Ankaragucu.
If it wasn`t for his injury, he would most probably made more than just five appearances for Yugoslav national team.
Football aficionados remember Hasanagic for more than just his goals – he actually recorded an EP with four songs! Later on, he ran a “Black-and-White Number Nine” café in Belgrade.
