It is said that modern footballers complain too much about having to play too many games. If so, these players will be really shocked to hear this news!
On 11 November 1987, Mark Hughes was selected for the Wales national team to play away to Czechoslovakia in Prague. He was playing club football for Bayern Munich, who played against Borussia Mönchengladbach in a German Cup match the same night.
This was before the international break and Bayern needed a star striker. Plans were made to arrange a flight from Prague back to West Germany so he could play against Mönchengladbach.
After scoring and netting on his Bayern debut four days ago, his manager Uli Hoeness was desperate for him to maintain his good form. But Hughes was desperately needed in the national team. A win against the Czech Republic would guarantee qualification to the European Championships and would see the Czech Republic advance to a major tournament for the first time in 30 years.
The match in Prague ended in a 2–0 defeat for Wales, but Hughes was quickly taken to the airport and brought on as a second-half substitute in Munich.
Bayern won 3-2 after extra time and Hughes achieved an unbelievable performance with two matches played in two countries just hours apart!
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