Incredible story of a famous football player who played 2 games in 2 countries on SAME day

The Premier League has been criticized for its demanding schedule with up to three games per week. Most of the players in the League are back to training after a well-deserved summer holiday to prepare for the pre-season. They had just finished a jam-packed 2022/23 season, which was heightened by the FIFA World Cup 2022 among the league matches. At the top level, players must participate not just in home league and cup events but also in international matches. These responsibilities strain their physical health to the breaking point. However, athletes like Mark Hughes are becoming increasingly rare in today's game. 

3 things you need to know 

• Mark Hughes played as a striker or midfielder 
• Hughes retired from football in 2002 at the age of 39
• Mark Hughes is now a professional football coach for Bradford City

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Mark Hughes played two football matches in one day

Few athletes have ever managed what Mark Hughes achieved in 1987 when he attempted the incredible feat of competing in two games in different nations on the same day. The Welsh player, who had just joined Bayern Munich, encountered a unique obstacle in 1987. Wales faced Czechoslovakia in a critical Euro qualifying match that, if won, would guarantee their first trip to the finals since 1958. Hughes, unfortunately, suffered a setback when he could not join his teammates since the airport was engulfed in fog.

At that time, Bayern Munich manager Uli Hoeness devised a remarkable strategy. He suggested that Hughes play for Wales and then quickly travel back to Germany to play for Bayern since the team had a German Cup match against Borussia Monchengladbach at 7 pm on the same day Wales was set to play at 1 pm.

On November 11th, 1987, the strategy was launched. Despite Wales' loss, Hughes played the entire 90 minutes. As soon as the game was over, a car was waiting for him outside the stadium, and he was taken to the airport while still sporting his game attire. Budgetary considerations forced the use of a Lada car as the vehicle for the trip.

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Hughes shocked his teammates and opponents by putting on his Bayern Munich uniform and warming up during halftime when he returned to Munich. Despite having a minor role in the game, his mere presence garnered media attention. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge scored the deciding goal and gave Bayern the victory.

Other than Hughes, which player has done a similar thing?

The amazing achievement of playing two matches in one day attracted acclaim. Jess Fishlock, the player with the most appearances for the Wales Women's team, is getting ready to take on a similar task today. She is scheduled to play on Saturday for her club team, OL Reign, in Orlando, before travelling across America to San Diego to join the Wales squad for their match with the USA team the following evening. Even if it's not technically playing in two nations on the same day, the travel time and distance make it a challenging task.

Fishlock's zeal for serving Wales is evident in her commitment and determination to go above and beyond. Her tenacity is an example of the dedication and sacrifices made by athletes who choose to represent their country above their club.