Grzegorz Lato facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Grzegorz Lato
Lato in 1979
Member of Senate
In office 2001–2005
Preceded by	Józef Frączek
Succeeded by	Władysław Ortyl
25th President of the PZPN
In office 30 October 2008 – 26 October 2012
Preceded by	Michal Listkiewicz
Succeeded by	Zbigniew Boniek
Personal details
Born	(1950-04-08) 8 April 1950 (age 75) Malbork, Poland
Political party	Democratic Left Alliance
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Occupation	Footballer (retired) Football manager (retired) Politician Football administrator
Grzegorz Lato Personal information Playing position Winger Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1966–1980 Stal Mielec 295 (117) 1980–1982 Lokeren 64 (12) 1982–1984 Atlante 45 (16) Total 404 (145) National team 1971–1984 Poland 100 (45) Teams managed 1988–1990 North York Rockets 1991–1993 Stal Mielec 1993–1995 Olimpia Poznań 1995–1996 Amica Wronki 1996–1997 Stal Mielec 1997 AO Kavala 1999 Widzew Łódź Honours Men's football Representing  Poland FIFA World Cup Third 1974 West Germany Third 1982 Spain Olympic Games Gold 1972 Munich Team Silver 1976 Montreal Team Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Copy of G.Lato medal and autograph in the Sports Star Avenue in Dziwnów

Grzegorz Lato (born 8 April 1950) is a famous Polish former football player and manager. He was known for playing as a winger, which is a player who runs along the sides of the field.

Lato was a key part of Poland's "golden generation" of football players in the 1970s and early 1980s. He played for Poland in five big tournaments. He won a gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics and two bronze medals at the FIFA World Cup in 1974 and 1982.

He was the top scorer at the 1974 FIFA World Cup, scoring 7 goals. He is the only Polish player to have won this award. In 1981, he was named the Polish Footballer of the Year. After his playing career, he also managed several football clubs.

Besides football, Lato was also a politician. He was a Polish Senator from 2001 to 2005. Later, he became the president of the Polish Football Association (PZPN) from 2008 to 2012. The Grzegorz Lato Municipal Stadium in Mielec is named after him.

Grzegorz Lato's Club Career

Grzegorz Lato started his football journey in Poland and later played for teams in other countries.

Playing for Stal Mielec

Lato was born in Malbork, Poland. He joined the club Stal Mielec when he was a teenager in 1966. For the next 14 years, he helped Stal Mielec become one of the best teams in Polish football history.

During his time there, the club won the top Polish league, called the Ekstraklasa, twice (in 1973 and 1976). They also played regularly in European competitions. Their best result was reaching the quarter-finals of the 1975-76 UEFA Cup. Lato was a great goal scorer for the club, scoring 111 goals in 272 games. He was the top scorer in the Ekstraklasa in the 1972–73 and 1974–75 seasons.

Playing Abroad

In 1980, when Lato turned 30, he was allowed to leave Poland to play football in other countries. He was even invited by the legendary player Pelé to play for the New York Cosmos.

However, Lato chose to play for K.S.C. Lokeren in Belgium, where he scored 12 goals in two seasons. In 1982, he moved to Mexico to play for Atlante F.C., scoring 15 goals. He also played a short time in Canada for Polonia Hamilton, a club started by Polish immigrants. He retired from football in 1991.

Grzegorz Lato's International Career

Lato played for the Poland national football team for 13 years, from the 1970s to the 1980s. He played 100 games for his country. He was known for scoring important goals in big matches.

World Cup Appearances

Lato played in three FIFA World Cups for Poland.

1974 FIFA World Cup

Lato (left) playing against Brazil at the 1974 FIFA World Cup

The 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany was the highlight of Lato's career. Poland was in a tough group with Argentina, Italy, and Haiti. Lato made an immediate impact.

In Poland's first game, he scored two goals, helping Poland win 3–2 against Argentina. Poland then beat Haiti 7–0, with Lato scoring two more goals. Finally, Poland defeated Italy 2–1, winning their group without losing a game.

In the second round, Poland faced West Germany, Sweden, and Yugoslavia. Lato continued his excellent form. Poland beat Sweden 1–0 and Yugoslavia 2–1, with Lato scoring the winning goals in both matches. The final game was against West Germany, which would decide who went to the final. Poland played well but lost 1–0, their only loss in the tournament.

Poland's last game was for third place against Brazil. Lato scored the only goal, leading Poland to a bronze medal. He finished the tournament as the top goal scorer with 7 goals.

1978 FIFA World Cup

At the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, Lato couldn't repeat his amazing performance from 1974. Poland won their first group by drawing with West Germany and beating Tunisia and Mexico. Lato scored one important goal against Tunisia.

In the second round, Poland was in a very difficult group with Argentina and Brazil. Lato only scored one goal against Brazil. Poland finished third in their group and were eliminated. Lato played in all 6 of Poland's games but only scored 2 goals.

1982 FIFA World Cup

By the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, Lato was 32 years old and not as fast as he used to be. He was still a key player, but he only scored one goal in the tournament, during Poland's 5–1 win against Peru.

However, a new generation of Polish players, like Zbigniew Boniek, stepped up. Poland reached the third-place playoff against France and won 3–2. Lato earned another bronze World Cup medal.

Olympic Games Success

Lato also won two medals at the Summer Olympics football competitions. He won a gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich and a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.

His last game for Poland was on 17 April 1984. He scored 45 goals for the national team, which is the third-highest total in Poland's history. He was also the first Polish player to play 100 international games.

Grzegorz Lato's Managerial Career

After finishing his playing career, Lato became a football coach. He first coached in Canada for North York Rockets (1988–1990).

He then returned to his old club, Stal Mielec, twice (1991–1993 and 1996–1997). He also coached other Polish clubs like Olimpia Poznań (1993–1995) and Amica Wronki (1995–1996). He had a short time coaching in Greece for AO Kavala (1997) before returning to Poland and retiring from managing with Widzew Łódź (1999).

Life After Football

After his football career, Grzegorz Lato entered politics. He was a Polish Senator for the Rzeszów region from 2001 to 2005. A Senator is a person who helps make laws for the country.

In October 2008, he was elected President of the Polish Football Association (PZPN). This is the main organization that runs football in Poland. As president, he helped oversee the Euro 2012 tournament, which Poland co-hosted. He was replaced by Zbigniew Boniek in October 2012.

On 29 November 2023, the Grzegorz Lato Municipal Stadium in Mielec was officially named after him. A special plaque was revealed on 23 July 2024 to celebrate this honor.

Grzegorz Lato's Playing Style

Grzegorz Lato was known for his incredible speed and quickness as a right-winger. He wasn't a player who did fancy tricks, but he was a very consistent and reliable team player. His excellent awareness on the field and his ability to play in different attacking positions, sometimes even as a forward, helped him succeed at both club and international levels.

Honours and Achievements

Grzegorz Lato achieved many great things in his football career.

Stal Mielec

• Ekstraklasa (Polish League): 1972–73, 1975–76

Atlante F.C.

• CONCACAF Champions Cup: 1983

Poland National Team

• Olympic gold medal: 1972
• Olympic silver medal: 1976
• FIFA World Cup third place: 1974, 1982

Individual Awards

• World Cup Golden Boot (Top Scorer): 1974
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1974
• Polish Footballer of the Year: 1977, 1981
• Ekstraklasa Top Scorer: 1972–73, 1974–75

National Awards

• Gold Cross of Merit: 1972
• Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta: 1974
• Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta: 1982

Images for kids

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  Lato's star in Władysławowo, pictured in 2006

See also

In Spanish: Grzegorz Lato para niños

• List of footballers with 100 or more caps